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Disease Risks and Homelessness

People experiencing homelessness often have a higher risk for exposure to communicable diseases and have little access to health care systems and treatment in their communities.

The recent emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) calls for enhanced cooperation between public health authorities, homeless service systems, and other partners at the local level. HUD strongly encourages CoCs to contact their local public health departments, Healthcare for the Homeless agencies, and other local health partners to ensure the unique needs and opportunities related to the homeless service system are incorporated in plans to prevent and respond to infectious diseases like COVID-19.

SNAPS COVID-19 Updates

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View the latest COVID-19 SNAPS Resource Digest

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Past Webinars and Office Hours

All COVID-19 Resources

Resource Author Category Date Published
Data & Equity: Using the Data You Have HUD Data Management July 8, 2020
HMIS Allowable Expenses for ESG HUD Data Management July 8, 2020
Rapid Expansion of HMIS: Things to Consider HUD Data Management July 8, 2020
Interim Considerations for Health Departments for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Homeless Shelters and Encampments CDC Site Specific Emergency Operations July 1, 2020
Privacy Considerations: Direct Service Staff Remote Work HUD Client Support and Care June 25, 2020
Federal Funding Priority Order for Non-Congregate Shelter During COVID-19 HUD ESG-CV Grant Management June 23, 2020
Non-Congregate Sheltering: Approaches for COVID-19 Homeless Response and Recommendations for Requests for Assistance HUD and CDC Site-Specific Emergency Operations | Community Planning and Preparedness June 23, 2020

Wellness Checklist for Client Engagement

 HUD Client Support and Care June 23, 2020
Flexibilities/Waivers Granted by the CARES Act & Mega Waiver and Guidance HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments June 22, 2020

Homeless Prevention Resources - Includes:

  • Framework for Homelessness Prevention
  • Effective and Efficient Prevention Programs
  • Prevention to Promote Equity
 HUD System Models and Implementation Support June 22, 2020

Landlord Engagement - Includes:

  • Landlord Engagement Homeless System Response Fact Sheet
  • Reset your Community's Critical Partnerships During COVID Response
  • Landlord Engagement Strategies in the Time of COVID-19
  • Landlord Engagement Spotlight: RentConnect in Miami-Dade County
 HUD System Models and Implementation Support June 19, 2020
Supporting Individuals Exiting Isolation or Quarantine HUD System Models and Implementation Support June 16, 2020
Five Things to Consider When Investing ESG in Homelessness Prevention HUD Consolidated Investment Planning June 10, 2020
Planning a Housing Surge to Accelerate Rehousing Efforts in Response to COVID-19 HUD Rehousing Strategy June 4, 2020

Rehousing Activation and Racial Equity - Includes:

  • Rehousing Activation and Racial Equity Part 1: Equity as the Foundation
 HUD Rehousing Strategy June 4, 2020
Rehousing Activation: Planning and Implementation Tips HUD Rehousing Strategy June 3, 2020
Untapped Expertise: Strategies for Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement When Developing Your Coordinated Investment Plan HUD Consolidated Investment Planning June 3, 2020
Equity-Driven Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization HUD System Models and Implementation Support May 26, 2020
When to Use Personal Protective Equipment HUD Program Practice Models and Implementation Support | Site-Specific Emergency Operations May 26, 2020
CPD Memo: Availability of Additional Waivers for CPD Grant Programs to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Mitigate Economic Impacts Caused by COVID-19 HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments May 22, 2020
Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness CDC Community Planning and Prepardness May 13, 2020
Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization to Support and Respond to COVID-19 HUD System Models and Implementation Support May 8, 2020
CPD Memo: Availability of a Waiver and Alternate Requirement for the CAPER for CPD Grant Programs in Response to the Spread of Coronavirus HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments May 7, 2020
CPD Memo: CARES Act Flexibilities for ESG and HOPWA Funds Used to Support Coronavirus Response and Plan Amendment Waiver HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments May 5, 2020

COVID-19 HMIS Resources - Includes:

  • HMIS Privacy and Security Standards and COVID-19 Response
  • HMIS Project Setup and Inventory Changes During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
  • A collection of community examples
 HUD Community Planning and Preparedness April 28, 2020
CoC Program Expedited COVID-19 Grant Agreement Amendments HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments April 17, 2020
How Does the Federal CARES Act Eviction Moratorium Impact the ESG and CoC Programs? HUD Community Planning and Preparedness April 17, 2020
YHDP and COVID-19 Questions and Answers YHDP YHDP Resources HUD - Updated April 16, 2020
FAQ: May recipients and subrecipients of CoC Program funds purchase cell phones and wireless service plans for program participants to use when receiving supportive services? HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response April 15, 2020
Food Insecurity and Educational Handouts U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Client Support and Care April 11, 2020
Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs HUD Community Planning and Prepardness April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Response for People Experiencing Homelessness: Early Learnings from Seattle/King County USICH Community Planning and Preparedness April 7, 2020
Infection Prevention and Control Considerations for Alternate Care Sites CDC Community Planning and Preparedness April 6, 2020
Availability of Waivers of CPD Grant Program and Consolidated Plan Requirements to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Mitigate Economic Impacts Caused by COVID-19 for CoC, ESG, and HOPWA HUD Memos, Waivers, and Grant Amendments April 1, 2020
COVID-19 and the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Community: Needed Actions from Public Health and Emergency Response Systems National Health Care for the Homeless Council Community Planning and Preparedness April 1, 2020
Screening Clients for Respiratory Infection Symptoms at Entry to Homeless Shelters CDC Site-Specific Emergency Operations March 31, 2020
State of CA: Systemwide COVID-19 Protocol for People Experiencing Homelessness State of CA Community Planning and Preparedness March 28, 2020
Client Screening and Work Flow Examples Atlanta, GA and San Diego, CA Site-Specific Emergency Operations March 27, 2020
Essential Services for Encampments During an Infectious Disease Outbreak HUD Site-Specific Emergency Operations English Version: March 26, 2020 | Spanish Version: April 5, 2020
FAQ: Can CoC project administrative funds be used to train recipient staff to safely deliver assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic? HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response March 26, 2020
FAQ: Can ESG funds be used to train staff on how to deliver services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including how to recognize symptoms, how to protect recipient staff from infection, and how to protect against spreading the virus while providing assistance? HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response March 26, 2020
FEMA Public Assistance: COVID-19 Pandemic Eligible Emergency Protective Measures FEMA Community Planning and Preparedness March 25, 2020
YHDP Communities and COVID-19 Call Slides YHDP YHDP Resources HUD - Updated March 25, 2020
Shelter Management During an Infectious Disease Outbreak HUD Site-Specific Emergency Operations English Version: March 23, 2020 | Spanish Version: March 30, 2020
Interim Guidance on COVID-19 for Member Domestic Violence Programs Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) Client Support and Care March 22, 2020
Using a Disaster Policy to Fund Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response with ESG HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response March 18, 2020
COVID-19 and the HCH Community: Needed Policy Responses for a High-Risk Groups National Health Care for the Homeless Council Community Planning and Preparedness March 17, 2020
Seattle and King County: Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Homeless Service Providers Seattle and King County Community Planning and Preparedness March 16, 2020
Using CoC Program Funds for Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response English Version: March 13, 2020 | Spanish Version: April 1, 2020
Seattle and King County: Interim Guidance on How to Care for Someone with Symptoms Consistent with COVID-19 Seattle and King County Client Support and Care March 12, 2020
Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Limit the Spread of Infectious Disease in Homeless Programs HUD Community Planning and Preparedness March 9, 2020
Specific Considerations for Public Health Authorities to Limit Infection Risk Among People Experiencing Homelessness HUD Site-Specific Emergency Operations March 9, 2020
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations CDC Site-Specific Emergency Operations March 6, 2020
Seattle and King County: Home Isolation Guide for Families and Individuals Living in Permanent Supportive Housing (Stand-Alone Units) Seattle and King County Site-Specific Emergency Operations March 6, 2020
Eligible ESG Costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness HUD Using CoC and ESG Funds for Infections Disease Preparedness and Response March 5, 2020
Access National Healthcare for the Homeless Council’s (HCH) Resources on Influenza National Health Care for the Homeless Council Client Support and Care No publication date
Using Technology to Communicate with Survivors During a Public Health Crisis TechSafety.org Client Support and Care No publication date
Best Practices for Mobile Advocacy TechSafety.org Client Support and Care No publication date
How to Operate as a Remote Workplace During a Public Health Crisis TechSafety.org Client Support and Care No publication date
Disaster Response Rehousing HUD Rehousing Strategy No publication date

Rehousing Efforts Tools and Resources

These resources focus on phase 2 of the SNAPS COVID-19 response: rehousing. Publication began in early May 2020.

Resource Author Date Published
Disaster Response Rehousing HUD No publication date
Planning a Housing Surge to Accelerate Rehousing Efforts in Response to COVID-19 HUD June 4, 2020

Rehousing Activation and Racial Equity - Includes:

  • Rehousing Activation and Racial Equity Part 1: Equity as the Foundation
 HUD June 4, 2020
Rehousing Activation: Planning and Implementation Tips HUD June 3, 2020
Resource Author Date Published

Homeless Prevention Resources - Includes:

  • Framework for Homelessness Prevention
  • Effective and Efficient Prevention Programs
  • Prevention to Promote Equity
 HUD June 22, 2020

Landlord Engagement - Includes:

  • Landlord Engagement Homeless System Response Fact Sheet
  • Reset your Community's Critical Partnerships During COVID Response
  • Landlord Engagement Strategies in the Time of COVID-19
  • Landlord Engagement Spotlight: RentConnect in Miami-Dade County
 HUD June 19, 2020
Supporting Individuals Exiting Isolation or Quarantine HUD June 16, 2020
Equity-Driven Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization HUD May 26, 2020
Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization to Support and Respond to COVID-19 HUD May 8, 2020
Resource Author Date Published
When to Use Personal Protective Equipment HUD May 26, 2020
Resource Author Date Published
Federal Funding Priority Order for Non-Congregate Shelter During COVID-19 HUD June 23, 2020
Resource Author Date Published
Data & Equity: Using the Data You Have HUD July 8, 2020
HMIS Allowable Expenses for ESG HUD July 8, 2020
Rapid Expansion of HMIS: Things to Consider HUD July 8, 2020

Health Crisis Response Tools and Resources

These resources, published between March and May 2020, focus on phase 1 of the SNAPS COVID-19 response: health crisis response.

Resource Author Date Published
Non-Congregate Sheltering: Approaches for COVID-19 Homeless Response and Recommendations for Requests for Assistance HUD and CDC June 23, 2020
Resources to Support People Experiencing Homelessness CDC May 13, 2020

COVID-19 HMIS Resources - Includes:

  • HMIS Privacy and Security Standards and COVID-19 Response
  • HMIS Project Setup and Inventory Changes During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
  • A collection of community examples
 HUD April 28, 2020
How Does the Federal CARES Act Eviction Moratorium Impact the ESG and CoC Programs? HUD April 17, 2020
Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs HUD April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Response for People Experiencing Homelessness: Early Learnings from Seattle/King County USICH April 7, 2020
Infection Prevention and Control Considerations for Alternate Care Sites CDC April 6, 2020
COVID-19 and the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Community: Needed Actions from Public Health and Emergency Response Systems National Health Care for the Homeless Council April 1, 2020
State of CA: Systemwide COVID-19 Protocol for People Experiencing Homelessness State of CA March 28, 2020
FEMA Public Assistance: COVID-19 Pandemic Eligible Emergency Protective Measures FEMA March 25, 2020
COVID-19 and the HCH Community: Needed Policy Responses for a High-Risk Groups National Health Care for the Homeless Council March 17, 2020
Seattle and King County: Interim Guidance for COVID-19 Homeless Service Providers Seattle and King County March 16, 2020
Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Limit the Spread of Infectious Disease in Homeless Programs HUD March 9, 2020

Other Resource Collections

Browse YHDP resources and other resources related to disease risks and homelessness.

News and Announcements

Register Today: Responding to …

Date Posted: July 09, 2020

ConnectHome and ConnectHomeUSA …

Date Posted: July 08, 2020

COVID-19 Resource Digest for Homeless …

Date Posted: July 08, 2020

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News & Announcements

Note: The contents of these materials, except when based on statutory or regulatory authority or law, do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. These materials are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.