This short report describes the special problems that contagious diseases such as COVID-19 present to people experiencing homelessness, and the organizations that serve them. Homeless people tend to be vulnerable to infections due to a combination daily stress, poor nutrition and chronic diseases. They often lack resources for basic hygiene such as sinks, clean toilets, and opportunities to bath and clean clothes. To reduce risks to clients, staff and volunteers, many homelessness services organizations are reducing the services they can provide, increasing facility cleaning, and some are shifting from relying on volunteers to staff or paid services, which increases their costs and reduces the number of people they can serve.
Public health officials advise people exposed to or infected by contagious diseases to stay home and minimize contact with other people. Quarantines are difficult enough for people with stable homes and reliable incomes; they are virtually impossible for people who are homeless or living in crowded or unhealthy homes. If they do become infected, they will need to stay in hospitals, using scarce beds, adding stresses and costs to overburdened public health services. Everybody benefits if we can reduce the risks of infectious diseases to homeless service providers’ clients, staff and volunteers.
There is lots that individuals and community organizations can do to help. This document lists various local homelessness services providers and their current needs. Over the long run, you can support policies and programs to provide more affordable housing in our community so everyone can have a healthy home.
Please let me know if you have comments or questions.
Sincerely,
Todd Litman (info@citiesforeveryone.org)
Cities for Everyone (www.citiesforeveryone.org)
Mobile: 250-508-5150