In the U.S., Black people represent 13% of the population and 22% live in poverty.* Of the homeless population, 40% are Black. **
Centuries of discrimination in housing, criminal justice, education and child welfare contribute to these disparities.
Loss of employment is twice as likely to cause homelessness among Blacks than among Whites.*** Black individuals and families face lack of affordable housing at a disproportional rate.
It is time we enact and enforce fair housing laws, regulate evictions, reintroduce rent control in urban markets and limit the scope of background checks for ex-offenders banned from public housing.
*according to census data
**according to the 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report
***according to HUD
– Clarence Adams Sr., Executive Director, Ozanam Inn