Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance
for Homeless Service Providers
This interim guidance is based on information that has been provided by Federal 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.
Federal Guidance
CDC: Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
HUD: Non-Congregate Approaches to Sheltering for COVID-19 Homeless Response
HUD: Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoC's
HUD: Using Continuum of Care Program Funds for Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response
Participate/Watch:
Register: March 31, 2020 USICH COVID-19 Webinar: Reinforcing the Homelessness Crisis Response System - Lessons Learned from Seattle and King County
The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) will post the recording of the 3/31/2020 webinar on http://www.usich.gov/covid-19 by the end of the day on March 31.
View: March 20, 2020 Office Hours recording and slides on the HUD Exchange
View: March 13, 2020 Office Hours recording and slides on the HUD Exchange
View: March 10, 2020 HUD webinar - Infectious Disease Preparedness for Homeless Assistance Providers and Their Partners
Additional Resources:
1. HUD: Shelter Management During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
2. HUD: COVID-19 ("CORONAVIRUS") INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
3. HUD SNAPS COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention & Response
4. HUD: Eligible ESG Program Costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness
5. HUD: COVID-19 Client Triage Tool: Atlanta, GA
6. CDC: Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters
7. CDC: Interim Guidance for Responding to CCOVID-19 among Unsheltered Homelessness
8. National Health Care for the Homeless Council: COVID Response
HMIS
1. HUD: COVID-19 HMIS Setup & Data Sharing Practices
2. HUD: HMIS Privacy & Security Standards & COVID-19 Response
CARES HMIS COVID-19 Screening Tool
Foothold has made a Corona Virus Screening Form (view here) available in the AWARDS database, accessed by the following click-path within HMIS: Charts > Services > Individual > Forms > COVID-19 Awareness Screening
CARES has turned on this form for all projects. To access a paper version of the form click here.
Example Public Notices
Resources:
Persons Experiencing Homelessness, the Highly Mobile, and Renters:
- How the 2020 Census Count People Experiencing Homelessness Fact Sheet
- Homeless Audiences Fact Sheet
- Service-Based Enumeration Fact Sheet
- Service-Based Enumeration Brochure
- Group Quarters Enumeration Fact Sheet
- Group Housing Fact Sheet
- Civic Organizations Fact Sheet
- Counting College Students Fact Sheet
Safety and Confidentiality:
State Guidance
OTDA: Guidance for Operators of Facilities Providing Housing to Individuals who are Homeless and Supportive Housing, or Organizations Making Referrals to Such Facilities
Example Public Notices
Additional Resources:
1. OTDA: Notice Certification Period 3 Month Extension for SNAP or TA/MA/SNAP Benefits
2. OTDA: Notice to Simplify and Streamline Benefits Administration
3. OMH: FAQ for Supportive Housing COVID-19 Response
4. DOH: Updated Protocols for Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection
State Housing Memorandums
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. FAQ: Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Pandemic Assistance
4. Flow Chart: Enhanced Unemployment Insurance Benefits and Pandemic Assistance
Telehealth & Managed Care Organization Updates
1. COVID-19 Telehealth Resource Guide
2. DOH Telephonic Services Medicaid Update
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 Telepractice Waiver
7. COVID-19 Telehealth Fact Sheet from the Center for Connected Health Policy
8. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 Medicare
Examples of Homeless Service Provider Response
Within each tab you'll find direct links to resources/examples of the homeless service providers response across the country
1. Seattle.gov Homelessness Response Page
2. Seattle.gov: Mayor Employs New Measures to Reduce Exposure of COVID-19 to Homelessness
3. King County Response to COVID-19, Powerpoint Presentation, Seattle/King County (Slides)
4. Acton Steps to Support Homeless Individuals, Seattle/King County
5. Seattle/King County: Interim Guidance on Caring for Someone with Symptoms Consistent with COVID-19
1. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority: COVID Guidance
2. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority: Preparing for COVID in Congregate Settings (Slides)
3. State of California: Recommended Strategic Approaches for COVID-19 Response for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
4. State of California: Flow Chart for COVID-19 Recommended Protocol for People Experiencing Homelessness
Local Program Highlights
Click here to contribute to the Capital Region Homeless Coalition COVID-19 Fund
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.
