A Harsh Reality:
A detailed study from the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) found that most minority groups, especially African American people, experience homelessness at higher rates than white people. This is largely due to long-standing historical and structural racism. Throughout America’s history, slavery, segregation and racism have each played their roles in denying African Americans many basic rights and socio- economic opportunities. This has led to dispropor- tionate representation in rates like homelessness. This by-product of systemic inequity is a lingering effect of racism that continues to perpetuate dis- parities in critical areas that contribute to compo- nents leading to homelessness. The 2020 U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Social and Economic Supplement found that 10.8 per- cent of Black people are in “deep poverty.” This percentage portrays an overrepresentation of poverty among the minority group as compared to its contribution to the U.S. population as a whole. Black people make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population yet account for 39 percent of people experiencing homelessness. White people, who make up 76 percent of the U.S. population account for 47 percent of the homeless population. Historically, both public and private sectors, spe- cifically housing and property rights, have present - ed additional opportunities for racism and discrim- ination toward people of color. This has made homeownership and accumulat- ing wealth more difficult or inaccessible for many minorities. Black people have been asked to meet requirements that were not mandatory for white people when applying for housing or loans. They have had fewer choices presented to them in ef- forts to restrict them to certain areas or qualities of life. Among a number of other effects, homelessness has led to higher rates of COVID-19, as the pan- demic has created additional stress for an already burdened system of shelters and public health
services. Because of the strain on these resources, specifically shelters, they are more likely to aid in the spread of the virus. NAEH also estimated up to 10 percent of the homeless population will be hos- pitalized due to COVID-19. Because of the stag- gering number of African Americans that make up this population, this will add to a higher rate of COVID-19 infections among Black people. During the pandemic, the wealth gap in the U.S. has only become more apparent and shown its detrimental effects. The economic downturn of unemployment, decreased wages and wealth inequality has shown greater consequences in lower-income communities. The percentage of minorities working in low-paying jobs portrays an overrepresentation on the scale of their nation- al representations. When industries like those of hotels and restaurants began to suffer the negative impact of the pandemic, so were the communities that carried them. In April 2020, a Fortune survey found Black people were twice as likely as white people to have been laid off or furloughed due to the pandemic. On average, people of color rent homes more than white people, putting them at a greater risk for eviction if their monthly income is disrupted. Black people underwent more poverty in the last 12 months than any other minority group. The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty found nearly 55 percent of Black households ex- perience a cost burden, meaning over 30 percent of their income is spent on housing, while just over 42 percent of white households incur a cost bur- den. The study also found the typical white house- hold has about 10 times more wealth than the average Black family. More households that are of color also find difficulty in paying an emergency bill that is greater than $400. Each of these factors has put many communities of color at an increased chance of getting evicted from their homes and facing homelessness.
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