Lessons Learned through Implementing SARS-CoV-2 Testing and Isolation for People Experiencing Homelessness in Congregate Shelters

This paper describes how a local public health agency joined a multi-sector community partnership made up of community-based organizations, clinical providers, peer navigators, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Together, this group created a strategic plan to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on people experiencing homelessness. They prioritized education, increased resource allocation and testing in shelters, and slated housing for those who tested positive or those at increased risk of COVID-19 complications. Most of this work took place in shelters.

Resource Details

• Population: People Experiencing Homelessness|People Living in Congregate Housing
• Geographic Areas of Implementation: Urban
• Topics of Practice: Organizational Change/ Development|Outreach/ Education/ Communications|Testing
• Outcomes of Interest: Partnership Building|Reduction of Health Disparities
• Level of Evidence: Emerging
• Tools or Materials Included in Resource: No
• Social Determinants of Health: Healthcare Access and Quality|Neighborhood and Built Environment
• Outside of US: No