I would agree with everyone who said to leave “covid” out of the essays.
IMO, unless you are from outer space, it will be assumed any hardship experienced during 2020-2023 will be in some shape or form related to covid/pandemic.
In OP’s case, job loss and homeless already will make compelling adversity topic without even explicitly mentioning covid in the essay.
Also, as you know, people have varied experiences during the pandemic and last thing you want is to trigger a negative emotion in the Reader and get rejected.
Like the story “The Death of Ivan Llyich”, so much can be written on the pain and suffering of cancer without ever mentioning the word.