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, and peer navigators and others 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 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
• Setting/Context of Implementation: Community
• 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: Economic Stability|Healthcare Access and Quality|Neighborhood and Built Environment
• Outside of US: No