Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy

Guided by OPEH and the Racial Equity Roundtable on Latine Homelessness, IRRPP examined a range of interlocking structural conditions such as a lack of affordable housing, part-time labor without a living wage, access to health insurance, incarceration, and immigration status often push Latine residents in Illinois towards housing insecurity and homelessness. As the report shows, differences in access to resources and opportunities for growth along racial lines make it more likely for Latine individuals to become unhoused and — once unhoused — make it much more difficult for them to regain their stability.

Most importantly, the report highlights that, rather than turn to shelters or live in the streets, Latine residents experiencing housing insecurity often rely on family, friends, or others in their network for temporary or emergency housing, living in what are known as “doubled-up” conditions that are largely invisible or overlooked in the public conversation and imaginary of homelessness. By making these structural forces visible and bringing to light the challenges of doubled-up homelessness, this report aims to support preventative, equity-centered policy interventions that expand access to stable housing.