Research consistently shows that children and their families need access to safe, stable, and affordable homes throughout their lifetimes in order to thrive. However, rising housing costs coupled with stagnant wages and disinvestment in affordable housing has resulted in extreme housing cost burdens and housing instability for millions of families across the United States. Due to ongoing structural racism and historically discriminatory policies on housing, education, and employment, people of color disproportionately experience housing instability, including housing cost burdens and eviction. The economic fallout of COVID-19 exacerbated this preexisting challenge for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, people of color. Although policies were put in place to prevent eviction during the pandemic, experts predict that a wave of evictions will take place once these protections lapse. When families are unable to afford rent and experience an eviction, studies show family health, education, and economic well-being are at risk. Underscored by the current crisis, there is an urgent and long overdue need for a bold federal investment and response to prevent eviction, protect health, and ensure families are stably housed.

To read the related one-pager, ‘A Bold Federal Response to Eviction Protects Health and Housing Stability, click here.

This work was made possible thanks to generous support from The Ballmer Group.