Fast virus surge, slow gov’t make homelessness worse
Cold weather’s coming, along with an annual estimate of homelessness, so advocates for the homeless are preparing for winter – amid the worsening pandemic.
Meanwhile, Illinois’ public health department issued recommendations urging people to stay home, which is literally impossible for those with no home to stay in.
Government aid – most from federal COVID assistance – was helpful, but it’s either gone or runs out this week. The absence of assistance such as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program and an eviction moratorium, plus questions about the actual extent of the problem, cause concerns.