As you may know, one of the many devastating impacts of systematic oppression (i.e., when laws, policies, procedures and practices of many systems collude to create unequal treatment and denied access for a specific group) is the overarching and far-reaching negative consequences for the group denied. However, we are not always aware of or do not understand the negative implications until we begin to drill down and look critically at disproportionate outcomes for the groups denied access to the rights and resources afforded others.
For example, did you know the pandemic has disproportionately affected communities of color, especially Black, indigenous and Latino people (Fairfax County Epidemiology & Population)?
- The risk of contracting COVID-19 is
- 1.8 times greater for Black people than for white people.
- 4 times greater for Latino or Hispanic people, who are also 7 times more at risk of hospitalization.
- In Fairfax County, Black people are being hospitalized at more than 3 times the rate of white people and are almost 3 times as likely to die from the disease.
To address this sobering trend, the county, DFS and DSVS have implemented an equity-focused strategy and impact plan. To support the Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) in providing comprehensive, equitable, trauma-informed services to those they serve, DFS and DSVS created informational guides and videos. These resources promoted FCHD staff’s understanding of DFS and DSVS available services and supports, in addition to increasing their knowledge of signs and symptoms of domestic and sexual violence.
Did you know people have been homeless throughout United States history for various reasons, including economics, laws and public policy decisions, wars, natural disasters, societal trends, and public attitudes about who deserves support?
More recently, the U.S. has been experiencing an affordable housing crisis due to the high cost of housing, lack of affordable housing and wages that have not kept up with the cost of housing (Homelessness, n.d.). The pandemic has exacerbated the housing crisis in Fairfax County.
COVID-19 has highlighted how tight living quarters (including overcrowded situations) has helped spread the virus in Fairfax County, while the economic downturn has made an existing affordable housing crisis in the community worse. Further, county budget reductions have impacted the county’s ability to move ahead with critically important initiatives to address this persistent community priority.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in January 2018, 552,830 people were counted as homeless in the United States. Of those, 194,467 (35%) were unsheltered – or living on the streets – and 358,363 (65%) were sheltered in temporary housing (Johnson, 2019).
In Fairfax County, the 2021 Point-in-Time Survey on homelessness found:
- 42% percent of all persons in families were experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence.
- 81% of single individuals who were experiencing homelessness suffered from serious mental illness and/or substance abuse, and many had chronic health problems or physical disabilities.
Lack of proper housing amplifies health issues:
- Hospital bills are $2,414 more for people who are homeless. This is because they stay in the hospital for four days longer on average, says a New England Journal of Medicine study.
- Children who are homeless are sick and go to the emergency room more often than other children.
- Those without proper housing suffer from:
- Twice as many ear infections.
- Four times as many asthma attacks.
- Five times more stomach problems.
- Six times as many speech problems.
- Twice as many hospitalizations.
For victims fleeing domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking, Fairfax County offers a 24-hour domestic and sexual violence shelter. However, this service and its supports are not appropriate or available for all victims. Also, not all victims are seeking this level of housing support. Fairfax, unfortunately, lacks a continuum of affordable housing options for survivors. DSVS continues to advocate and promote capacity of providers within the coordinated community response to domestic and sexual violence to expand housing offerings that meet the varying wants, needs and values of survivors. —DSVS Equity Workgroup
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).