Sheltering the Homeless during COVID-19 in San Jose, California

ABSTRACT

In 2020 the United States was experiencing homelessness in many states, with California having the largest unsheltered homeless population. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all people be housed to facilitate disease prevention measures, including social distancing. San Jose, California, the 10^th largest city in the nation, engaged in new partnerships, involved over 700 city employees as Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), and delivered new programs and services to the unsheltered homeless and other vulnerable populations, not only within the city, but countywide.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• disaster service worker
• homeless
• San Jose
• California
• unsheltered homeless

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. It was not recognized until April, 2021 when autopsies were completed.

2. WeHope is a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit. https://www.wehope.org/

3. Home First Services is a homeless services non-profit. https://www.homefirstscc.org/

4. SEMS is mandated in California Government Code 8607 for all state agencies. https://www.caloes.ca.gov/PlanningPreparednessSite/Documents/SEMS%20Regulations.pdf and https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/recovery/public-assistance/california-disaster-assistance-act

5. Destination: Home is a public-private partnership that offers shelters and financial assistance. https://destinationhomesv.org/

6. The Emergency Assistance Network provides financial help. https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/santa_clara_emergency_assistan.html

7. BHC provides interim housing. https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/housing/ending-homelessness/bridge-housing-communities

8. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act authorizes the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento/