The Association of Homeless Advocates in the North/Northwest District recently held its annual legislative breakfast. Representatives from AHAND’s 30 member organizations, other homeless service agencies and those with histories of homelessness shared their priorities and experiences with area legislators who were in attendance. Katie Spoden of the Alliance to End […]
People Experiencing Homelessness Twice as Likely to Be Reinfected with COVID-19 Compared to their Housed Peers
Boston Medical Center researchers found that people experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness who have had COVID-19 are twice as likely to be reinfected than their housed peers regardless of age, gender, and comorbidities (other health or behavioral health conditions). Findings come atop earlier studies that demonstrated people experiencing homelessness […]
Undoing Structural Racism in Housing
BEDS clients mainly come from five townships: Berwyn, Lyons, Proviso, Stickney, and Worth. Twelve percent of their combined population is Black; forty-four percent of our clients from these areas are Black. This is not an accident. Systemic racism has long denied Black people access to housing and creates the stark […]
BEDS Special Bulletin: The Continuing Eviction Crisis and its Economic Consequences
Today, we’d like to share updates about federal and state eviction moratoria. Eviction Moratoriums Extended On June 24, the Biden administration extended the CDC’s eviction moratorium until July 31, and, on June 25, J.B. Pritzker extended Illinois’ moratorium until July 24. As the pandemic continues, these moratoria are preventing a […]
IHDA Releases its Housing Blueprint 2021
We provide direct services to people experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness; however, we also support government, nonprofit, and other institutions as they work to create structural change in the housing market. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is a state government agency that finances the creation and preservation […]
Federal Mortgage Relief FAQ
The COVID-19 pandemic’s socioeconomic effects have left 12 percent of households behind on mortgage payments. Although the federal eviction/foreclosure moratorium has been extended until July 31, many households risk being foreclosed upon after it expires. Luckily, some at risk households can secure federal mortgage relief for up to a year. […]
BEDS Special Bulletin: Employment
Employment represents one of the many ways we help people experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness stabilize their lives. Today, we want to take a closer look at the issue of employment for people experiencing homelessness and how we respond. Do people experiencing homelessness work? A common stereotype holds […]
BEDS Special Bulletin: Food Rescue
People experiencing homelessness and imminent risk of homelessness struggle to maintain a healthy diet, which has grown even more difficult during COVID-19. BEDS has expanded its Food Rescue program to reach a growing number of “food insecure” clients. Let’s learn more. How Are Food Insecurity and Homelessness Related? People […]
The Eviction Crisis
America faces an eviction outbreak that could reach pandemic proportions. The CDC eviction moratorium expires on March 31, and Illinois’ moratorium ends three days later on April 3. Immediately afterward, tenants face eviction, trying to find housing with eviction records, and homelessness. (For their part, landlords face foreclosures, asset seizures, […]
Homelessness Prevention Update
The passage of the $1.6 trillion stimulus bill provides people at risk of homelessness with infusions of cash to pay rent, including $1400 stimulus checks and a continuation of $300 supplements to unemployment benefits. The bill does not extend the CDC eviction moratorium, which expires at the end of the […]
