Women’s Housing Precarity During and Beyond COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 has amplified gendered disparities in caregiving, work, and housing in the United States. This Policy Spotlight brings together the latest research and data to discuss the intersection of these disparities with regard to the anticipated eviction crisis in Illinois. Housing insecurity and potential evictions will affect thousands of Illinois single-parent households, most of whom are female-headed, and disproportionately Black and Latino.1 This will likely lead to a sustained crisis of financial, health, and housing fluctuation, and set back historic gains in women’s equality. The recent $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was signed into law in March 20212 is an important step in the right direction, as are the federal moratorium extension and federal endeavors. However, there are challenges with getting assistance to where it is needed. There is a need for both wise allocation of these resources and the infusion of additional interventions to stave off the devastating effects of eviction. Upstream approaches must be put in place now, especially because landlords are filing actions in court despite the moratorium.