By Change Lab Solutions, June 23, 2020
Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is crucial for community health, and COVID-19 is amplifying its importance. Access to housing helps individuals practice social distancing and maintain adequate hygiene to prevent infection. Housing quality is equally important. Given that families are encouraged to stay home as much as possible during the pandemic, it is critical that individuals have housing that is free of lead, mold, and other harmful exposures and safety concerns. The economic fallout of COVID-19 has exacerbated the housing affordability crisis; millions have lost their jobs and now face threats of eviction. Due to a history of racist and discriminatory policies, laws, and development patterns, the groups of people who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 — Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color as well as low-income families — will also bear the brunt of the economic impact.
We want to be part of the solution. ChangeLab Solutions is offering technical assistance on housing issues related to COVID-19 to local governments and their community partners. We are prioritizing technical assistance requests that focus on supporting tenants who are at greatest risk of experiencing poor housing quality, housing insecurity, and displacement. Our multidisciplinary team of planners, policy analysts, and lawyers can help you assess and implement solutions that will help alleviate the current housing crisis and reduce long-standing health and wealth inequities.
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