COVID-19 – In addition to being a health crisis that affects millions worldwide, this pandemic encompasses the worst global economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. With disruptions to businesses and means of income, COVID-19 has negatively impacted millions of people. Previous eviction moratoriums started in Sept. 2020 and ended in July 2021, with a recent extension by the CDC to Oct. 3rd. In addition, $46 billion of federal aid has been allocated to rental relief. However, since mid-March of 2020, there have been 488,069 evictions in the 6 states and 32 major cities that were tracked.
The reason for this high number is that the order for rent moratorium creates financial burdens for landlords, putting their property at risk to wealthy investors. Other barriers to financial aid are people not knowing they can reapply, access to online forms, photo identification.
The homeless population is among the most vulnerable populations during this pandemic. Due to lack of sanitation and access to showers, in addition to the physical decline due to constant exposure to the environment, individuals in homelessness are at a higher risk of mortality to COVID-19.
Vaccination rates among the homeless populations are still low. According to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, the vaccination rate is about 20-30 percent. Nationwide, more than 375,000 people in homeless centers have tested positive for Covid-19. This is only in homeless centers and not comprehensive of the overall actual number. The low rate of vaccines could be attributable to many things that have always acted as barriers to access: Lack of transportation, information, language barrier, etc. People are also hesitant because theyβre worried about not being able to fend for themselves when theyβre under the side effects of the vaccine. The Renter’s Crisis will put extra burdens on the homeless population. An increasing rate of eviction will increase the rate of homelessness will, taking resources away from those who are currently already homeless. The BIPOC population will be disproportionately affected, as the top ten cities with the highest eviction rates are also the cities whose African-American population makes up the majority of homelessness.
In the upcoming year, Mustard Seed Project is starting a concerted effort over our 6 college chapters to raise funds to help our neighbors in homelessness through service case management. With this fund, we hope to give individuals a little reprieve from day-to-day survival, in which they are able to focus and work with our service navigators to make a sustainable plan to prevent future episodes of homelessness or near homelessness. All of the money that we raise will go directly into that mission.
Our leadership team is finding new and interesting ways to fundraise donations for the Renter's Crisis. Find out what they're doing and support them!
October 10th is World Homelessnessday, a time for us to come together to recognize the struggles our homeless neighbors face every day. Join us in our journey to combat chronic homelessness on this important day!
Need Help? Call our hotline at (619) 494-2226
