On a given night in 2019, almost 600,000 people were homeless. Over ⅓ of this number included unsheltered individuals, which is defined as individuals who live anywhere not meant for human habitation such as cars, campgrounds, or streets. The other ⅔ includes people who have been living in shelters or with housing assistance. One estimate is that this number will grow by 40-45% (an additional 250,000 people) by the end of summer, based on the correlation between job loss and homelessness in previous years. Others fear this number may be higher.

As COVID-19 cases continue to climb around the United States, it is important to acknowledge vulnerable groups and take measures to protect them. This includes those experiencing homelessness.

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness are uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19 for many reasons. For unsheltered homeless people, they often have nowhere to quarantine, nowhere to clean themselves, and nowhere to stay if they become sick. They are unlikely to have any masks (let alone the most effective N-95 masks) and even if they receive reusable ones, probably won't be able to clean them often. The risk of contracting COVID-19 is therefore high.

For sheltered people, similar problems persist. Many shelters do not have enough space to practice social distancing or quarantine the sick. Homeless families who are sheltering with other families (which by some estimates accounts for half of the homeless families in the United States) may also experience difficulty social distancing. Housing assistance, which was already available to only a quarter of the households who needed it nationwide*, is likely to become even more difficult to receive as the organizations providing it become even more overburdened. This leaves sheltered people at risk of becoming unsheltered, which increases the threat of the virus.

Contrary to popular stereotypes, many people who are experiencing homelessness work. Many are considered essential workers, and therefore they are regularly exposed. Many could lose their jobs, either by becoming sick or being laid off, which would leave them even more vulnerable. All of this is made worse by the fact that many do not have adequate health insurance or transportation, and therefore are less likely to be tested and treated. This is not only harmful to their health, but to the health of everyone around them.

This is not an easily-solved crisis. Much of what exacerbates COVID-19's harmful impact on homeless people are systemic issues present long before the pandemic began. The situation is ongoing and constantly evolving, which makes taking action even more difficult. Throughout all of this, it is crucial that the voices of those experiencing homelessness are elevated. This will be necessary not only for the organizations serving their needs but for public awareness.

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