Why So Many Homeless People Are Black

Why are Black people so overrepresented in homelessness, and what can be done about it?

Christine Haley, Chief Homelessness Officer for the State of Illinois, joins us to break it down. She shares how her family’s experience with housing inequality shaped her career, and what Illinois is doing to tackle the systemic drivers of homelessness.

We talk about redlining, eviction, incarceration, income inequality, and why Black families are more at risk of losing housing. Christine also shares how Illinois is investing in solutions like court-based rental assistance, expanding medical respite care, and making the case for Housing First.

If you care about housing, racial justice, or solving the root causes, not just the symptoms, this episode is a must.