The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity on lower-income Black women

H Shellae Versey; Charity N Russell

doi:10.1111/josi.12555

The impact of COVID-19 and housing insecurity on lower-income Black women

J Soc Issues. 2022 Oct 3:10.1111/josi.12555. doi: 10.1111/josi.12555. Online ahead of print.

Authors

H Shellae Versey¹, Charity N Russell²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology Fordham University New York USA.
² Department of Psychology Wesleyan University Middletown Connecticut USA.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple groups faced increased risks for negative health and mortality. Using an intersectional framework, the current study explores how the global pandemic impacted lower-income women living in the United States through access to housing. Findings indicate several challenges remaining stably housed during the pandemic. Major themes included: (1) High-Risk Survival Economies, (2) Landlord Stress, Deception, and Exclusion, (3) Landlord Harassment, (4) Low Levels of Formal and Informal Support, (5) Housing as a Health Risk Factor, and (6) Resilience. These themes are explored through four in-depth narrative accounts. Implications for health and policy are discussed. Future research that examines and engages with both direct (e.g., material scarcity) and indirect (e.g., discrimination) pathways that connect housing to health are strongly encouraged.