For the Economy to Recover, the People Must Recover

For two years we worked to combat COVID-19 – masked up, stood six feet apart, got vaccinated, and then carried proof. Today, we continue rising from the lowest points in the pandemic – with some dips and bumps along the way – moving toward the end of pandemic restrictions. But we cannot forget one thing: The mental and economic impact of COVID-19 will likely last in our hardest hit communities for far longer than we’ll wear masks and carry vaccination cards. 

Since March 2020, Congress has passed three unprecedented economic recovery bills and an infrastructure investment package aimed at helping our economy rebound from the pandemic. For the past year, states, counties, and cities have been planning and prioritizing how some of these funds can be used to mend the hardships COVID caused. Sadly, recovery dollars historically haven’t always reached the communities with the fewest resources and biggest challenges. 

If we are to ensure this recovery is different, we have to do things differently. Leaders need to heed the voices of the people they serve as they allocate federal recovery dollars and implement policies that foster an equitable and inclusive economic recovery. 

In fall 2021, BECOME hosted seven Community Conversations with people living in the communities of Cicero, Austin, South Lawndale, Chicago Lawn, West Englewood, Dolton, Harvey, Humboldt Park, Roseland, Pullman, Riverdale, and Altgeld. The goal was to understand how the pandemic impacted Black and Latinx communities in the Chicago region and hear from residents what their community needs to recover and prosper. The project was commissioned by We Rise Together: For an Equitable and Just Recovery and The Chicago Community Trust, in partnership with New America Chicago, to help guide advocacy efforts for a more equitable and inclusive recovery.

The Pandemic Will Have Long-Lasting Impact

Neighborhoods that have experienced a history of systemic disinvestment, social and economic challenges, as well as felt the greatest impact from COVID-19, were selected for these conversations. The conversations drew six findings that we urge policymakers to keep at the forefront of any decision on how to invest federal recovery dollars. These findings are listed in order of commonality across neighborhoods.

1. The loss of life, health, and safety profoundly affected people’s emotional and mental well-being, and will take time to heal. 
2. The pandemic rocked people financially, provoking high levels of stress and anxiety, due to reduction of work hours, loss of savings, and job loss. 
3. COVID-19 brought about positive impacts, allowing people to connect more deeply with family and neighbors, and sparking technological innovations. 
4. People are still struggling to meet basic needs like food and housing, and while financial assistance from the government was a lifeline, the need was much greater.
5. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted local businesses’ solvency, as well as residents’ sense of safety. Even formerly quiet neighborhoods saw increases in crime and substance abuse, which some participants linked to the pandemic.
6. Undocumented community members were ineligible for most financial help and are severely hurting from serious financial issues, increased homelessness, and emotional despair.

Community Principles for Equitable Recovery

Truly equitable and inclusive economic recovery must prioritize the needs of communities with the fewest resources. In some of the neighborhoods where Community Conversations took place, healthcare facilities and vaccine information, grocery stores, and other necessities are simply not available. Many Black and Latinx residents – who disproportionately represent the frontline workforce – have taken the heaviest burdens by making the impossible choices between life, children, and work obligations. 

The pandemic stripped income, hope, health, savings, and peace of mind. More help will be needed from civic leaders and the government for recovery in every sense of the word. We call on policymakers to follow these principles we heard across multiple community conversations to help guide decisions around use of federal funds and delivery of assistance: 

• Unless people recover, the economy will not recover. Mental health resources, family support services, housing, child care assistance, return to work support, and basic financial assistance are essential to help people on the road to recovery. 
• Continually ask community members and leaders what they need. There is still so much need, but it may not be what you’d expect. 
• Prioritize allocation of resources in the places where basic amenities and services are most lacking and people experience the most need (e.g., target rent help for the neediest neighborhoods or those with less access to social services).
• People are incredibly willing to help their neighbors. Ensure local organizations, churches, and mutual aid societies have the funding and support to increase capacity to reach communities with greatest need and fewest resources. 
• Enlist local stores and businesses as the community hubs they are to help deliver important information about vaccines and other resources.

Community Policy Recommendations

Additionally, community members identified three areas policymakers should bolster efforts in to help their communities recover: 

• Employment opportunities.
• Support for local businesses.
• Support for basic needs. 

Existing city and county commitments may not be addressing all of these needs. The state budget could present an opportunity to support strategies such as financial assistance and emergency funds, child care assistance, rental and utilities assistance, mental health support, support for undocumented community members, and support to help entrepreneurs and workers capitalize on the shift to new technology.

Stimulus checks, advanced tax credits, emergency rental assistance, and extended unemployment benefits helped keep millions of households afloat. But that assistance has or will expire soon – many households and communities will need more support to bounce back. Now is the time to act to ensure economic recovery dollars help these households thrive and prosper. 

BECOME is a center for community engagement and social change. Through culturally responsive evaluation, research and community development, it seeks to cultivate a socially just world.

New America Chicago is a nonpartisan policy innovation lab based at The Chicago Community Trust. The organization works with the local community to research and advocate for public policies that improve racial and economic equity.

Read the full report, Community Perspectives on COVID-19 Recovery, including community recommendations and quotes from all seven community areas.