"Latino families across the nation are struggling financially because of the severe impact that COVID-19 has had on the economy. They need as much support as possible to weather this storm," write Gabriel Sanchez, Edward Vargas, and Adrián Pedroza.
Below, the authors shed light on the immense challenges facing Latino households and the difficult choices that many have been forced to make during the pandemic. We also outline more ways to support those in need, including faster stimulus checks and improved oversight of COVID-19 relief spending.
In addition, we share some promising strategies for local recovery and close with recent congressional testimony from Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen on addressing the recession in America.
Providing support to those in need
The devastating impact on Latino families. 29% of Latino families have had someone in their household lose their job since businesses across the United States began shutting down due to COVID-19. Gabriel Sanchez, Edward Vargas, and Adrián Pedroza outline how the nation's policymakers can provide effective support.
How Congress can deliver faster stimulus checks. Americans are likely to get a second round of direct payments as part of the next COVID-19 stimulus package. Aaron Klein explains how policymakers can speed up the delivery of these payments.
What will it cost to save D.C. renters from eviction? Nearly 60% of Washington, D.C.'s approximately 280,000 households rented their homes in 2018. With COVID-19 causing new financial stress, Michael Bailey, Eric LaRose, and Jenny Schuetz assess how much it will cost to keep renters afloat.
Corruption in COVID-19 relief. "In recent weeks, the need for oversight of Trump administration coronavirus spending has reached an inflection point." Norman Eisen and Aryeh Mellman explain why robust executive oversight is vital to ensure that Americans receive the aid they need during the pandemic.
Recovery at the local level
An opportunity for affordable housing. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans lacked access to stable, affordable housing. Ingrid Ellen, Erin Graves, Katherine O’Regan, and Jenny Schuetz say that the recovery period after the crisis could allow the nation to improve housing security by increasing the inventory of long-term affordable rental housing.
Supporting microbusinesses. Detroit is pursuing a mitigation and recovery strategy focused on very small businesses in the city's underserved communities. Pamela Lewis explains how it was funded and implemented.
For more on local recovery efforts across the United States, see the Metro Recovery Watch.
More on the economics of COVID-19
Bernanke and Yellen testify on the economic crisis. Earlier this month, former Federal Reserve Chairs Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen testified before Congress on the COVID-19 economic downturn and offered strategies to help restore growth.
Economic recovery for communities of color. Also this month, Camille Busette called on lawmakers to address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color, the enduring equity crisis in the United States, and the continued financial insecurity of low-wage workers.
COVID-19 and retirement. "While we are still in the midst of the pandemic and its full effects are not yet known, it appears the impact will transform retirement for years, if not decades," Martin Neil Baily, Benjamin Harris, and Siddhi Doshi write.
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