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Homelessness

Data from the City of Chicago reveals that 10 percent of the city’s homeless population is Latino—but anecdotes from the community and economic realities suggest the actual number is much higher.

Shifting paradigms around homelessness might also include the thousands of Latino families who have lost their homes to foreclosure or rent burden and are forced to "double up" with extended family, friends, or neighbors in unsustainable housing arrangements.  Exacerbating these challenges is the paucity of Spanish-speaking staff at homeless shelters and homeless prevention call centers. Language barriers, coupled with insufficient outreach to Latinos, create a gap in services available to Latinos facing homelessness.

Photo: Olga Lopez

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