September 15 - October 15 marks National Hispanic Heritage Month. BEDS celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The 2024 theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” We honor this idea by helping shape Southwest Suburban Cook County’s response to the growing number of Latina/o/x people experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness.
Last year, the National Alliance to End Homelessness found that while Latina/o/x people make up 19 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 24 percent of people experiencing homelessness. The report also described how Latina/o/x homelessness is “rising faster than for other groups.” Latina/o/x households experiencing homelessness are less likely to use homeless shelters and supportive services. They face steep barriers to service including:
- Language barriers
- Lack of awareness of and familiarity with human services systems
- Lack of cultural competency and representation at human service providers
- Distrust of service of human service providers
They are more likely to live in substandard housing, doubled up with family and friends, and/or in places not meant for human habitation like abandoned buildings and vehicles.
We meet Latina/o/x households experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness where they’re at. Thirteen percent of our staff (and fifteen percent of our Board) identify as Hispanic/Latina/o/x. Across our service lines, we employ bilingual staff and use LanguageLine Solutions (www.languageline.com) translation services when Spanish speakers are not available. Our Emergency Services Walk-In Center is situated in Summit, IL, which has a 40 percent Hispanic or Latino population (62.5 percent of households in the village speak Spanish at home). Our Walk-In Center is specifically staffed by bilingual community health workers who can connect Spanish-speaking individuals and families to services. Also, 40 percent of clients in our Cicero Avenue Transitional Shelter are asylum seekers from Mexico, Central America, and South America. The program is supported by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and is part of IDHS/the City of Chicago’s innovative One System Initiative for serving Illinois residents and asylum seekers experiencing homelessness through the same system. We are continuing to develop strategies and services to serve vulnerable Latina/o/x households. And with your help, we will keep shaping the future of Latina/o/x homeless services in our communities.
To support Latina/o/x people experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness, click here.