Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
for Homeless Service Providers
This interim guidance is based on information that has been provided by Federal and State agencies on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), recommended protocols, and examples of homeless service provider response to delivering services in the wake of the virus. CARES will update this guidance as new information becomes available.
Vaccination Guidance
The below section provides guidance on COVID-19 vaccination planning, distribution, eligibility and FAQs.
Click the button below to see if you may be eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
NYS: COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Click the button below to register for the County of Albany's vaccine site at the Armory
HUD: Vaccine Planning and Distribution: Roles and Responsibilities
HUD: Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Plan and Prepare For Vaccine Distribution
HUD: COVID-19 Homeless System Response: Vaccine Planning and Distribution
OTDA: Vaccine Distribution Letter
CDC: Vaccination FAQ
National Health Care for the Homeless Council: COVID-19 & the HCH Community
Example Public Notices
Shared or Congregate Housing Guidance
Guidance in the below section specifically applies to congregate care settings, shelters, encampments, transitional housing, DV shelters, etc. If you cannot find what you are looking for please check out our CoC General Guidance section.
Shelters and Encampments
CDC: Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters
CDC: Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 among Unsheltered Homelessness
CDC’s Guidance for Shared or Congregate Housing
CDC: Screening Clients for COVID Symptoms
CDC: Testing in Homeless Shelters and Encampments
CDC: FAQ for Homeless Shelters
CDC: Interim Considerations for Health Departments for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Homeless Shelters and Encampments
HUD: Alternate Approaches to Winter Sheltering during COVID-19
HUD: Winter Planning Guide Overview
HUD: Non-Congregate Approaches to Sheltering for COVID-19 Homeless Response
HUD: COVID-19 Preparedness Checklist for Homeless Shelters
OTDA Interim Guidance for Operators of Congregate Facilities Providing Shelter to Individuals Who are Homeless
NYS DOH: Protocols for Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection
Housing Providers
Example Public Notices
Homeless Prevention Guidance
Guidance in the below section provides information on eviction moratoriums, landlord engagement, and guidance on homelessness prevention during COVID-19.
HUD: A Framework for Homelessness Prevention
HUD: COVID-19 Homeless System Response: Landlord Engagement
HUD: COVID-19 Homeless System Response: System Planning: A Framework for Homelessness Prevention
HUD: COVID-19 Homeless System Response: Prevention to Promote Equity
HUD: Five Things to Consider When Investing ESG in Homeless Prevention
Moratorium Information
CDC: Eviction Moratorium FAQs for HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (Updated: 11/18/20)
NLIHC Overview: CDC Eviction Moratorium
NLIHC FAQ: CDC Eviction Moratorium
United Tenants of Albany: NYS Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act FAQ
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY: NYS’s COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act
General Homeless Provider Guidance
Guidance in the below section provides general information and resources on COVID-19 that may help guide your CoC during this time. This includes public notices, toolkits, and information regarding changes to benefits, waivers, telehealth and unemployment.
HUD SNAPS COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention & Response
HUD: SNAPS COVID-19 Webinars and Office Hours
HUD: Staff Capacity Considerations for Scaling Up
HUD: Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoC's
HUD: COVID-19 Resource Digest for Homeless Providers
CDC: COVID-19 and Homelessness Services
IRS: Collecting the Economic Impact Payment
USDA: SNAPS Benefits Emergency Allotments for NY
Unemployment Income Benefits Updates & Information
1. NYS DOL Extends Office Hours for Unemployment Claims
2. Step by Step Instructions for Filling an Unemployment Claim Online
3. NYS UIB: Sign-up for Unemployment Benefits
4. NYS DOL: Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits FAQs
5. Legal Aid Society of NENY: Protections for Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Telehealth & Managed Care Organization Updates
1. COVID-19 Telehealth Resource Guide
2. NYS DOH: Comprehensive Guidance Regarding Use of Telehealth During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
3. Use of Telemental Health for People Affected by the Disaster Emergency
4. Use of Telehealth for People Served by OMH Licensed or Designated Programs Affected by the Disaster Emergency
5. OMH Self Attestation Form
6. OASAS: Updated Telepractice Waiver
7. Center for Connected Health Policy: COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage Policies
8. Center for Connected Health Policy: Telehealth Provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
*Link provides an overview of the bill which included several provisions aimed at increasing access to telehealth services.
8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 Medicare
8. NYS DOH: FAQs Regarding Use of Telehealth including Telephonic Services During the COVID-19 State of Emergency
Local Program Highlights
Within each Continuum of Care tab you will find public notices from homeless service providers within that geographic area.
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Southern Tier Entry to Program and Services (STEPS)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Albany County Coalition on Homelessness (ACCH)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Homeless Services Planning Board (HSPB)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Southern Tier Homeless Coalition (STHC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Rensselaer County Homeless Services Collaborative (RCHSC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Columbia Greene Housing Coalition (CGHC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Franklin Essex Housing Coalition (FEHC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Points North Housing Coalition (PNHC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Saratoga North County Continuum of Care (SNC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
Rockland County Continuum of Care (RCCC)
If you would like your agency’s public notice regarding programmatic response to COVID-19 to be posted to this page, please email Erin Reale a copy of any updates on agency letterhead.
