Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funding supports homeless projects throughout the country to assist households move into sustainable housing. Families and individuals experiencing homelessness are more vulnerable to infectious diseases due to lack of access to primary care, mobility, and poor health status from extended episodes of homelessness. HUD released the new Infectious Disease Toolkit for CoCs to provide structure and specific examples for planning and responding to influenza, Coronavirus, and other infectious diseases. The toolkit consists of three documents that provide information for CoC leadership, homeless service providers, and partners to utilize when planning for and responding to infectious diseases:
- Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease for People Experiencing Homelessness
- Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Shelters
- Preventing and Managing the Spread of Infectious Disease within Encampments
HUD strongly encourages CoCs to contact 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. CoCs can take steps now to develop preparedness and response plans to protect against infection.
HUD is also available to provide technical assistance to our homeless assistance providers who need support in preventing or responding to the spread of infectious disease. Please submit your questions to the Ask A Question (AAQ) portal with “Health Preparedness and Response” in the subject line.\
Additional Resources
- Read the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Access National Healthcare for the Homeless Council’s Resources on Influenza
- Visit the HUD Exchange Disease Risks and Homelessness Page
Also, be on the lookout for a one page document HUD is releasing on how current ESG funds can be used to support infectious disease preparedness efforts.
The contents of this document, 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. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.