October 27, 2021
Analyzing the impact of the pandemic on low-income housing security in Washington State
New research from of the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing security in Washington State.
Through a collaboration with the Tenants Union of Washington State, the researchers examined low-income tenants’ housing security. They discovered that current conditions had increased rental debts, reduced residential mobility, and poorer housing quality for low-income people.
The researchers also uncovered that the pandemic had worsened the negative impacts of housing insecurity on health. Among those most impacted by these trends were people of color, particularly Black and Latinx tenants.
These findings are relevant to recent eviction moratoria and related policies in Washington State and beyond, reiterating the critical role housing plays in protecting the health and safety of communities.
This research was supported in part by a Population Health Initiative COVID-19 population health equity research grant.