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Okay folks, the number of COVID-19 cases among the homeless jumped in a big way in Denver over the weekend and you should care for a number of reasons (aside from the obvious one of caring about people in general)...
To be sure, protecting the homeless has been on the mind of Denver officials since the virus really started spreading throughout the city. City folks, service providers, etc have done good work and continue to do good work. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/16/denver-homeless-coronavirus-preparation/
But helping the homeless is a difficult task even when everything else is going well. It's a moving target.
People keep repeating that the pandemic is shining a bright (and unflattering) light on problems that already existed.
People keep repeating that the pandemic is shining a bright (and unflattering) light on problems that already existed.
Let's start with why this population matters. First, a lot of people have said (and you might agree) that you should judge a community by how it cares for its most vulnerable.
But there's more for this population that's estimated at 3,954 but is almost certainly higher:
But there's more for this population that's estimated at 3,954 but is almost certainly higher:
Many of these folks live in close quarters -- either in shelters or encampments -- and with limited access to washing facilities.
So, they can't appropriately socially distance, nor can they wash their hands, et al, per recommendations. So they're more susceptible to the virus.
So, they can't appropriately socially distance, nor can they wash their hands, et al, per recommendations. So they're more susceptible to the virus.
One man recently told me about what he called the "Rescue Mission Condition."
In short, if one person in the shelter catches a cold, everyone catches it. The same logic applies to the coronavirus, which frightens many.
In short, if one person in the shelter catches a cold, everyone catches it. The same logic applies to the coronavirus, which frightens many.
It's not a jump to see the virus spreading quickly among the homeless population, to service providers, to medical care professionals, to city officials, etc. It moves quickly, which we've seen time and again across the world.
And then, this population has a much higher proportion of underlying health issues, making them faaaar more likely to require intense medical care.
This is an important consideration at a time when we're concerned about available hospital beds and ventilators.
This is an important consideration at a time when we're concerned about available hospital beds and ventilators.
The city set a March 13 deadline to come up with a strategy to handle COVID cases among the homeless and failed to meet it.
Not to say they're not taking action, but I've still yet to see a comprehensive strategy other than "house the homeless:" https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/04/denver-homeless-shelters-coronavirus-covid/
Not to say they're not taking action, but I've still yet to see a comprehensive strategy other than "house the homeless:" https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/04/denver-homeless-shelters-coronavirus-covid/
Positive tests started coming back among the homeless population in late March. And we know that positive tests are typically far short of the actual number of cases because tests really aren't widely available. Many figured it was a matter of time. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/27/denver-homeless-coronavirus-2/
The numbers have increased steadily as more tests were administered. For example, on Friday city officials told me that there were 16 positive cases among the homeless community. Today that number hit 53.
Okay, so hopefully we've established that the health of this population is directly connected to the health of the entire community. What do we do then?
We know they need rooms, perhaps thousands. And it's been slow going: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/23/denver-homeless-coronavirus/
We know they need rooms, perhaps thousands. And it's been slow going: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/23/denver-homeless-coronavirus/
In the meantime, folks living on the brink of homelessness, essentially in short term rentals (motels and the like) are being evicted for nonpayment because whatever cash streams they had are now drying up: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/24/evictions-homeless-coronavirus-aurora-colorado/
The city needs individual rooms so symptomatic folks can rest and recover, but also so people awaiting test results have a place to stay, etc. The need for these rooms has increased drastically. Today the city has 227 rooms and 142 are occupied.
And then Denver needs shelter space because existing shelters are packed (read: no social distancing). They made progress this month with a new men's shelter at the National Western Center with another 600 beds: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/04/denver-homeless-shelters-coronavirus-covid/
But already that shelter is overcrowded. Mayor Michael Hancock said today 700 people spent the night there over the weekend. And the space available meets CDC guidance, but only technically. Folks have a 10x6 space to sleep in. Still, it's something.
Not everybody feels safe in these shelters. Some advocates are grappling with whether folks are safer on the streets than in these close quarters.
Many have said a better option is to house the homeless in individual rooms, hotels, motels, dorms, apartments, at any cost.
Many have said a better option is to house the homeless in individual rooms, hotels, motels, dorms, apartments, at any cost.
More room could be provided at shelters if Gov. Polis dispatched more National Guard troops, officials have said. But the governor says he's leery of group shelters and would rather work toward motel/hotel rooms.
Securing rooms is tricky and expensive though. Hotels and motels haven't been super interested in lending a hand (and city officials are TRYING) and multiple deals have fallen through.
Some are wondering whether Denver would be better off just providing showers/cleaning facilities at existing encampments rather than trying to force the shelter issue.
Many are worried the shelter population is already compromised. But still, it is something.
Many are worried the shelter population is already compromised. But still, it is something.
And then today, officials announced the addition of hundreds more individual rooms and a women's shelter (400 beds) at the Denver Coliseum: https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/13/denver-homeless-shelter-coronavirus-covid/
But still more space is needed. Mayor Hancock wrote an open letter to hotels and motels earlier this month asking for more help and Polis followed suit today. We'll see if those calls to action make a difference.
Anyway, those are some of the concerns and issues surrounding Denver's homeless population.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
