SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new Illinois report examining Latino homelessness points to housing costs, job instability, and immigration barriers as key drivers, while also acknowledging a major recent factor: the influx of migrants bused to Chicago from Texas.
State officials and researchers on Thursday highlighted findings from Latine Homelessness in Illinois: Structural Drivers of Inequality, a study produced by the University of Illinois Chicago and the Illinois Office to Prevent and End Homelessness.
The report makes clear that the sharp rise in Latino homelessness in recent years coincides with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s migrant busing program.
Between 2022 and 2024, roughly 37,000 migrants were sent to Chicago, according to the report.
The report also noted “spillover effects,” including rising homelessness among non-Latino residents and increased strain on shelters and housing services statewide.
At the same time, researchers emphasized the migrant surge is only part of the picture, saying broader economic pressures are also contributing to housing instability across Illinois.
Beyond the migrant influx, the study identifies housing affordability as a primary driver of homelessness.
About 46% of Latino renters in Illinois are considered rent-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. A 1% increase in rent burden leads to roughly a 1.2% increase in “doubled-up” homelessness, people staying temporarily with family or friends.
Employment conditions are another major contributor, according to the study, as Latino workers are more likely to be in low-wage, part-time or temporary jobs.
Researchers also highlighted additional structural issues:
Health coverage gaps: About 18% of Latinos in Illinois are uninsured, raising the risk of financial crises from medical bills.
Incarceration: Each increase in incarceration rates is linked to higher rates of housing instability, particularly among those reentering society.
Immigration barriers: Delays in legal status and work authorization can limit access to jobs, credit, and housing.
While the report emphasizes “structural” causes it also documents the significant, recent impact of the migrant surge on Illinois’ shelter system.
Gov. JB Pritzker said the report is intended to help guide the state’s broader effort to reduce homelessness. “As we work to implement the Home Illinois plan…we need to better understand how it impacts specific populations,” Pritzker said.
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