COVID-19 Guidance for Los Angeles County Homeless Services Community

Published March 09, 2020 | Last updated May 15, 2020 | 138,037 total views

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is working closely with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) as well as other City, County, and Federal Partners to develop and implement a coordinated COVID-19 response related to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. This site is designed to help our providers and partners to keep updated on resources and information.

As this is an emerging, rapidly evolving issue, LAHSA and its partners will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. Please visit this and other referenced pages often.

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COVID-19: Additional Resources for Providers

We've compiled a list of additional resources (that complements this page) that you may find helpful during the COVID-19 crisis. Resources include economic/workforce development, supplies/donations, homelessness prevention, basic needs, and more. Updates will be made regularly, so check back often.

COVID-19: Additional Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness

We created a separate list of additional resources that people experiencing homelessness may find helpful during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Provider Hotline Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ (Updated on April 29)

General Information

Please visit DPH and CDC’s pages for updates on COVID-19, helpful resources and guidance for specialized entities and groups, infographics on handwashing and COVID-19 basics, etc.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) Coronavirus Portal (includes resources in 13 languages)

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Coronavirus Portal

New LA CoC Policy: COVID-19 Enhanced Risk Service Delivery in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care (Added on March 25)

Food Programs By SPA (ENGLISH) PDF | Food Programs By SPA (SPANISH) PDF (Added on April 1)

Hygiene Services Locations List (Added on March 20)

Hygiene Services Locations Map (Added on March 24)
YMCA Hygiene Locations (Added April 7)

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources (Added on March 12)

Myth Busters (Added on March 12)

COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates
From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the new coronavirus.
There is no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases. The normal human body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C, regardless of the external temperature or weather. The most effective way to protect yourself against the new coronavirus is by frequently cleaning your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or washing them with soap and water.
READ MORE MYTH BUSTERS HERE and HERE.

LAHSA and Homeless Initiative Present the Faith Community’s Response to COVID-19

What LAHSA is Doing to Address the Coronavirus

Partnerships

LAHSA’s leadership is in close contact with officials at DPH, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and are receiving the latest developments and the best approaches to limiting exposure to the Coronavirus.
The Office of Emergency Management has designated LAHSA as the lead agency for work relating to people experiencing homelessness. OEM did this to ensure that LAHSA’s expertise is captured in the day-to-day work and allows LAHSA to play the central coordinating role across City and County agencies.
LAHSA is in close coordination with the County Emergency Operation Center to ensure homelessness expertise is informing our system’s response.
LAHSA is working with DPH and OEM to secure personal protection equipment and other essential supplies for our providers like hand sanitizer, tissues, water, and masks for people who may sick.
DHS and DPH clinicians and LAHSA staff will be meeting with LAHSA teams weekly to discuss approaches and support.

Expanding Shelter Access

LAHSA has been able to secure the extension of 12 Winter Shelter Program sites past the usual end date of March 31. This action ensures that over 900 low-barrier beds remain available for our unsheltered population 24 hours-a-day. We continue to work with our providers and partners at the City and County to extend more sites during the pandemic and expect all Winter Shelter sites to have extended programming to at least the end of April.
LAHSA is working with the City of Los Angeles to set up its 42 planned shelters. Over the weekend LAHSA was instrumental in opening the first eight, and we look forward to working with the City to open the others.
We’re also working with our partners to create 2000 beds where we can isolate people experiencing symptoms. We will be using RVs that have been provided by the state of California and motels that the county is pursuing. And we are exploring other opportunities so that we are prepared if the pandemic continues to expand. 900 beds have been secured to date.

Increasing Hygiene

LAHSA is supporting the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, County Board of Supervisors, and City Council Members by:
- Identifying locations for over 300 mobile hygiene stations to people living outdoors
- Deployed 18 mobile shower facilities across the county.

Outreach

Our outreach teams have received comprehensive training on best practice to keep themselves safe and to ensure that people they encounter with flu-like symptoms get the right medical care. The Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department and shelter providers have also utilized this training.
Outreach teams that are currently working with CARE and CARE+ teams will continue to support those teams. In addition, they will pass along information about COIVD-19 and how to reduce the chances of contracting the virus to the people experiencing homelessness that they come across.
Our outreach teams not attached to CARE and CARE + are seeking out clients that they have make contact with over the last 3-6 months who are over 55 or have a chronic medical condition to ensure they receive information about COVID-19 and how to reduce their chances of catching the virus.

Informing Providers and Community

LAHSA has provided the latest information about how Coronavirus is transmitted, known symptoms and treatment, and what steps to take to prevent transmission to every staff member, partner, and provider.
LAHSA has worked with its partners at the Department of Health Services to develop and administer training specifically shelter providers.
We’ve notified our employees, partners, and providers about best practices to prevent and prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak.
LAHSA launched a robust, comprehensive COVID-19 web portal aimed at providing key guidance for the homeless services system. It includes locally-developed training webinars for interim housing providers and outreach teams, program guidance and tools from DPH and CDC, as well as infectious disease preparedness guidance for agencies.