A special message from Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Interim Executive Director Heidi Marston
We know people experiencing homelessness are extremely vulnerable and not always in a position to take the basic disease-prevention precautions, like frequent hand washing, we’re being advised to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Policy and guidance regarding people experiencing homelessness is evolving as we learn more about the virus, but know that we are actively working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development on this critical issue.
At this time, our street-based outreach teams are receiving additional training on best practices for addressing the coronavirus outbreak.
We are procuring additional sanitation equipment for our outreach teams for their personal protection and to assist vulnerable people on our streets including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer.
We have worked with our partners at the Department of Health Services to develop and disseminate training specifically for outreach and shelter providers.
We will continue to update resources and information on our website as the situation continues to unfold.
Also know that Los Angeles County has stood up its Emergency Operations Center and is including people experiencing homelessness in its emergency planning considerations.
Here are some additional resources:
The Department of Public Health has created guidance for shelters. We have also informed our providers about the best practices on protecting their employees and clients.
LAHSA has launched an informational site, which includes the most recent information.
I want to assure you that people experiencing homelessness, and their unique circumstances are top of mind for me and my colleagues in Los Angeles County.