Housing Challenges Amidst the Pandemic

The recent scramble to reinstate the eviction moratorium shed light on the uncertainty of the housing situation of thousands in the nation. Prior to the last-minute reinstatement of the moratorium, New Orleans residents had to prepare to be kicked out of their homes or otherwise gamble on the possibility of receiving aid. A 2021 U.S. Census survey found roughly one in four residents in Louisiana have not been able to keep up with rental payments, and the problem is especially critical in New Orleans because of the high cost of living and acute poverty.

Covid-19 disparities in Louisiana shed light on systemic racism

Covid-19 disparities in Louisiana became apparent when the virus began spreading in the early portion of 2020. By April, 70% of those who died from the virus were Black, even though Black people make up roughly 33% of the state’s population. Pre-existing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease disproportionately impact the Black community, largely because of poverty and lack of access to health services, which are issues that stem from hundreds of years of systemic racism.