Coping with COVID-19 while experiencing homelessness

 

Photo by Tim Mossholder from Pexels

COVID-19 has touched every corner of this planet, affecting the lifeways and practices of almost every person. Masks, face shields, social distancing, frequent handwashing and cleaning of surfaces are increasingly commonplace. 

But what happens when you don't have access to running water? What happens when you share an encampment with many others, with no way to socially distance? Where do you get masks if you can't afford them?

Protests in Portland: How civil unrest affects the unhoused

Photo by Taufiq Klinkenborg from Pexels

Protests in Portland, Oregon, have garnered much media attention, and have been a consistent presence in the city for over two months. Police tactics from the local Bureau as well as Federal agents have sparked both outrage and support, mostly depending on one’s political leanings. People are risking their health and safety to be out in the streets, practicing their First Amendment rights and taking part in civil disobedience in response to police brutality. 

But the people in the streets each night- protestors and police alike- get to go home and wash off the tear gas afterward. What about the people who don’t have a home to go to? 

Homely for us, Homeless for some

HOMELY FOR US, HOMELESS FOR SOME

Since the COVID-19 outbreak has spread globally, everyone from different communities have been

impacted in some shape or another. The homeless population have suffered one of the worst experiences.

In a time where everyone is told to stay home, the homeless community do not know where to go. They

are unable to practice social distancing like most of us do. Living out on the streets, next to grocery stores,

or in parking lots has been the norm for them, and the pandemic changed that.

While the more privileged face boredom in the comfort of their homes, the homeless population face a

higher risk of exposure to the virus, as well as transmitting it to others. Practicing personal hygiene

becomes a huge factor in their lives and being able to do it is difficult for them especially since many

shelters have closed their doors to practice social distancing. Luckily, there are steps that city officials

have started to take to ensure the virus is contained, even within the homeless community. Motel rooms

and outdoor shelters have been set up so that these people can obey the "Stay Home" order. More action
needs to be taken because if the homeless population have no shelter, the risk of them spreading the virus
is unpredictable, and untraceable considering where they would be living. For more information on what
the county is doing to prevent the spread, click on this link.

Sources:https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/covid-19-infection-count-among-portlands-homeless-remains-low/283-e2cb26d5-d07b-4186-a5a4-14080c151ae8

By Lyn Loo

Corona-virus outbreak puts local shelters in a difficult position

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:

https://www.opb.org/news/article/covid-19-coronavirus-multnomah-county-oregon-homeless-shelters/

https://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-coronavirus-homelessness-covid-19-prevention-shelters/

https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/public-safety/emergency-preparedness/coronavirus

Written by Brody Jones

Portland homelessness - what can WE do to help?

Springwater Corridor, Portland Business Journal, 2016

All you need to do is walk around Portland to see that we've got an issue we need to fix. The Springwater Corridor in East Portland is the largest homeless camp in the US, with around 200 tents housing upwards of 500 people. There have been steps taken to address the issue of homelessness, such as the Affordable Housing Bond, but because mental illness plays such a large role, we can't address homelessness without first addressing mental illness.

According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, in January 2018 Oregon had over 14,000 people experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, Oregon also ranks worst for mental illness, with 35-40% of the homeless population being mentally ill. During the 1990's many of the mental hospitals were closed due to harsh conditions and treatment of patients. While this was planned with good intentions, there was no follow up and now many of the patients are homeless and living in worse conditions than before. Coupled with the huge heroin and meth usage, it's a vicious cycle that many people can't get out of.

So what do can we do to help? A great first step is to volunteer at a non-profit such as Transition Projects. Companies like this help those in need to get out of a bad situation and into somewhere stable and safe. The city needs to put more money into places like Transition Projects so they can be better equipped to help. But it all starts with the individual, taking a small step to make a difference. 

Sleeping pods- Portland’s innovative way of helping the homeless

Tiny homes have become the talk of the nation for the past several years. Whether it is for vacationing, downsizing,

or simply trying to be trendy, people’s interest in the tiny dwelling areas have been increasing in cities everywhere. 

The city of Portland, Oregon has found a unique use for these Sleeping Pods, and its helping combat the homeless problem as well! According to Multnomah County statistics, “On one particular night, 3,800 people slept on the streets, in shelter, and in temporary housing.” To help combat these numbers, The city of Portland has turn these trendy tiny living spaces- into sleeping shelters to help women battle against homelessness. 

Each pod provides an individual with their own bed, roof over their head, personalize access code to help ensure

safety, as well as a sense of overall well being. Could this be a solution in other cities across the US as well?

Hopefully Portland can be a stepping stone in the right direction of house to provide housing to those in need. 

https://www.portlandoregon.gov/toolkit/article/562207

https://www.pdxmonthly.com/slideshows/2019/8/9/these-tiny-home-inspired-sleeping-pods-provide-shelter-for-portland-s-homeless-women