Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Coalition is actively working with local jurisdictions to ensure that the care and treatment of people experiencing homelessness is considered as we respond to this crisis. 

For the latest updates on Novel Coronavirus in El Paso, please go to: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/public-health/coronavirus

HUD Resources for Infection Disease Prevention and Response

Topic Resource Title Link
Planning with your local public health authorities Questions to Assist CoCs and Public Health Authorities to Limit the Spread of Infectious Disease in Homeless Programs https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Questions-to-Assist-CoCs-and-Public-Health-Authorities-to-Limit-the-Spread-of-Infectious-Disease-in-Homeless-Programs.pdf
Grant Funds & Eligible Costs Using CoC Program Funds for Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Using-CoC-Program-Funds-for-Infectious-Disease-Preparedness-and-Response.pdf
  Eligible ESG Program Costs for Infectious Disease Preparedness https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Eligible-ESG-Program-Costs-for-Infectious-Disease-Preparedness.pdf
Toolkits for CoCs for preventing the spread of infectious disease: For people experiencing homelessness
Within encampments
Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease for People Experiencing Homelessness https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Infectious-Disease-Toolkit-for-CoCs-Preventing-and-Managing-the-Spread-of-Infectious-Disease-for-People-Experiencing-Homelessness.pdf
  Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Encampments https://files.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/Infectious-Disease-Toolkit-for-CoCs-Preventing-and-Managing-the-Spread-of-Infectious-Disease-within-Encampments.pdf
SNAPS COVID-19 Infectious Disease Prevention & Response Check the HUD Exchange page for frequent updates and resources from HUD, including the Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoC.

National Partner Resources

Author and Website Description and Key Resources
United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH): COVID-19 Resources Best practice examples developed by Seattle-King County, WA and Los Angeles, CA, as well as a collection of national resources.
National Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Council: COVID-19 Resources A collection of national, state, and local resources including the following HCH resources and updates:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Homeless Shelters and Homeless Service Providers
COVID-19 and the HCH Community
The State of COVID-19 and Homeless Health Care
Coronavirus Resources for Homeless Service Providers
World Health Organization (WHO): COVID-19 Advice for the Public General COVID-19 advice to share with the public, including myth busters and advice for health workers.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): COVID-19 & Homeless Shelters Guidance CDC guidance for homeless shelters: Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
GovTech: A Resource Guide to Coronavirus for Government Leaders A collection of federal, state, and local guidance and responses to COVID-19.
National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC): Coronavirus and Housing/Homelessness A collection of resources, including upcoming and past webinars, congressional recommendations, national updates, state actions, local news, and federal guidance.
National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH): Coronavirus and Homelessness Guidance from NAEH on coronavirus and homelessness, including a collection of national resources.
National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH): COVID-19 Resources Guidance from NCH on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): COVID-19 Resources Guidance from NNEDV on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
National League of Cities (NLC): Resources for Local Leaders Guidance from NLC on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE): COVID-19 Resources Guidance from NCHE on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security: COVID-19 Resources Guidance from John Hopkins Center for Health Security on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA): COVID-19 Resources Guidance from the VA on coronavirus and homelessness including a collection of national resources.
Homelessness & the Response to Emerging Infections Disease Outbreaks: Lessons from SARS A study from the Journal of Urban Health.
National Governors Association: Steps states have taken to address Coronavirus Search for updated coronavirus resources available by state.
Coronavirus Planning for HUD CoC Areas This ArcGIS infographic helps communities in the United States plan for the impact for the COVID-19 virus.

State Resources

State Resource Description and Key Resources
Texas Texas Health & Human Services: COVID-19 Communication Tools Communications and media tools for spreading awareness about COVID-19 in Texas.


Survey

We need your input on preparedness levels for operating your programs in the midst of the Coronavirus situation.

  • If you are an emergency shelter provider, please click here to take a brief survey.
  • If you have a street outreach and/or housing navigation program, please click here to take a brief survey.

Your responses will help the Coalition better coordinate with local officials and offices. Completing this survey is not a guarantee that supplies are available or will be provided.

What We Will Be Doing

  • Sometime soon, March TBA, there will be a webinar on COVID-19. The purpose of the webinar is to provide general information about the virus.
  • Gary Gray and Danny Rodriguez, HMIS Staff, are looking at the variety of questions CoCs are uploading into HMIS to screen people experiencing homelessness for COVID-19 symptoms. We will be adding questions to HMIS and providing guidance regarding using different functionalities to monitor COVID-19 symptoms. We will also be sharing these questions separately for providers who do not use HMIS.
  • We are sharing materials, such as a training for staff, simplifying of current guidance, and signs regarding COVID-19 that are easier to understand.