Extreme heat predicted for Friday July 12 -Sunday July 14. The City of Denver has opened cooling centers at all rec centers during normal operating hours. Stay in the shade, drink water, and stay safe!
Extreme heat predicted for Friday July 12 -Sunday July 14. The City of Denver has opened cooling centers at all rec centers during normal operating hours. Stay in the shade, drink water, and stay safe!
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Immigrant families face severe economic challenges specifically, barriers to many stabilizing systems including housing, employment, education, shelter, and various safety net programs such as rental assistance which puts them at elevated risk of housing insecurity and homelessness. COVID-19 has heightened existing challenges for low-income immigrant families forcing them to the streets.
Immigrant families face a range of systemic barriers to economic and housing security:
Alejandra Chacon arrived at the Westside Mobile Home Park in Colorado from Mexico around 17 years ago with her parents. At 16, she was working to support her parents who worked multiple jobs. Growing up, hers and other Latinx families at the park, lived in trailers that needed repair and had several sewer line issues. When the park was sold to new private owners, they faced the burden of increased rent despite no improvements to the property.
Today, Alejandra is a housing advocate and community organizer. She explains that things have only gotten worse for immigrant families. “Rents in Durango are increasing—around $2,500 for a two-bedroom apartment. A lot of folks in the community work as housekeepers, construction workers, and restaurant workers.” Alejandra was working non-stop during COVID, experiencing significant back pain and depression while continuing to provide for her six-year-old daughter. Like her, many in her community are single mothers whose husbands have been deported.
Without adequate housing options, employment opportunities, and safety net programs, Colorado’s immigrant families are vulnerable to housing insecurity. Policy solutions may include:
Immigration and citizenship status should not prevent individuals and families from accessing safe and stable housing. Long Standing barriers to housing can be addressed through inclusive housing policy.
From better health to food security to good education, housing is foundational to every aspect of well-being, building stronger communities, promoting economic growth, and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive. Our Colorado-based, multi-sector coalition is working in coordination with the National Low-Income Housing Coalition to generate widespread support for local, state, and federal policies that correct long-standing racial inequities and economic injustices that have prevented access to affordable, quality housing for people with low incomes