People experiencing homelessness are in an essential state of crisis at all times. Many of us would agree that shelter is essential to have a continuously sustainable and stable life. So what is someone without a home to do when the society they’re a part of is facing a pandemic that requires all citizens to severely limit their outdoor time and contact with other people? COVID-19 has been difficult to face and requires everyone to change their daily routines in order to subdue the spread of the virus. Things such as staying mostly isolated, washing your hands frequently and staying home when you feel sick are essential. All of these things can be a challenge for someone experiencing homelessness. In addition, most of the shelters in the area are fairly tightly packed with beds, not allowing for the recommended 6 feet of distance between people. Therefore, the houseless population is at high risk during these times. Especially considering many have underlying health issues. So what is there to be done?
Unfortunately one of the easiest solutions for shelters has been to offer beds to fewer people in order to meet the requirements of proper spacing between individuals. Shelters are given motel vouchers but are restricted to use them only in severe cases. In order to make a real impact in slowing the spread of the virus in a community as vulnerable as this would be for the local government to expand funding on these motel vouchers and loosen the requirements for when they are allowed to be used. Things such as this will only become more necessary in the coming weeks.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition has put together a document of things required for the houseless population to adequately respond to the onset of COVID-19. Policymakers are currently working on a spending package that addresses how public health will be affected by the virus. In order for this spending package to be beneficial to homeless populations, NLIHC recommends these things such as protections against evictions and relocations, medical respite care, and expanded outreach medicine. More information on NLIHC recommendations pertaining to the virus can be found here: https://nlihc.org/responding-coronavirus
Relating this to my last post (February 24th, 2020) about homeless youth in Beaverton, school being canceled due to the virus has created an especially difficult situation for this community, as well as low-income families. Many students rely on breakfast and lunch provided daily by the school. Fortunately, the district is providing a meal pickup service at many of their schools during the times when class was supposed to be in session. Remote learning isn’t as easily remedied, however. Many of the remote learning opportunities provided for students assume that students have access to the internet at home. This is an issue that has no simple fix as many community resources are closed through the end of the month.
For more information related to the topics I discussed, check out the sources I’ve referenced here:
Written by Brody Jones
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