In an August External Linksurvey of service providers and others, 60% of respondents said that federal stimulus checks, small-business support, unemployment benefits and rent relief were critically important for the people and communities they serve. Survey respondents included about 3,250 entities serving low- to moderate-income (LMI) people and communities. The survey was fielded by External Linkeight national partners and the External LinkFederal Reserve System’s community development function.
The spread of COVID-19 and the many efforts to slow it are affecting communities throughout the nation. To best respond to this crisis, information is needed about the scope and scale of challenges in various communities. This report offers findings of a survey designed to collect information on the effects of COVID-19 on LMI people and communities and the entities serving them.
A sample of the main findings for the people and communities served by the respondent’s organization:
- Small-business disruptions: 60% said that COVID-19 was causing a significant disruption to small businesses, with 81% saying the latest conditions were still worse than they were pre-pandemic.
- Disruptions to services for children: More than half (57%) said that COVID-19 was causing a significant disruption to services for children, with 77% noting that conditions were still worse than they were pre-pandemic.
- Time to recovery: Across almost all categories, half the respondents estimated it will take one to three years to return to pre-pandemic conditions. Almost a quarter of respondents noted that it would take four or more years for housing stability to return to pre-pandemic conditions.
The survey also includes findings about how the pandemic has affected the organizations represented by respondents.