COVID-19 and Homelessness

Vulnerable people should self-isolate for the foreseeable future, stay indoors, limit contact etc. etc. but what if you don’t have a safe place to do that, what if you’re one of Britain’s thousands of homeless? Approximately 10,000 people sleep rough in the UK, with a further 320,000 described as ‘hidden homeless’, sofa-surfing or living in temporary, unstable accommodation.  Statistics demonstrate that the homeless population are 3x as likely to have a chronic health condition, particularly respiratory problems like COPD or Asthma, things we know don’t sit favourably with fighting Covid-19. Equally they are more likely to be malnourished and the continuous exposure to the elements is associated with a reduced immune system, making contraction of the virus more likely.  

And yet the fundamental guidance seems almost impossible for this entire group, a group arguably even more at risk – regular hand washing, staying indoors, phoning 111 for advice, all luxuries you simply don’t have access to when living on the streets. How do you self-isolate when you do not have a home?  

Current advice surrounding hostels is that they may remain open unless directed otherwise by Public Health England, but it is clear to see how easily the virus could run rampant in such an environment. But whilst hostels are currently able to remain open, other services which facilitate large group gatherings, such as soup kitchens, are being forced to close.  For those able to remain open, many which rely on an elderly volunteer force, have seen staffing levels drop as self-isolation begins. St George’s Crypt, a sanctuary for those facing homelessness in Leeds, has announced that it has had to withdraw its lunch time service, which provided a hot meal free of charge to hundreds of people each day, but also a guaranteed friendly face, social interaction and the chance get warm and dry.  

Equally consideration must be made to ensure those experiencing symptoms are encouraged and feel welcomed to seek help. The idea of repurposing empty offices or utilising empty hotel rooms to provide a clean, warm and safe place for those needing sanctuary feels like a positive one.  

At the time of writing it was announced £3.2 million emergency funding will be provided for local authorities to assist the homeless community with accommodation and vital support to safely self-isolate. There are also reports of a trial which saw 300 rooms made available to individuals already known to services and that London’s Mayor was putting in plans to block-book rooms for the next 12 weeks. A beacon of hope for some of our most vulnerable citizens.  

Florence Kinder