Flatten the Curve of Inequality: Supporting the Unhoused

People who are experiencing homelessness during these uncertain times must be treated with compassion. Decriminalizing the actions of people experiencing homelessness is crucial to ensuring our response to this public health crisis is equitable. The criminal legal system should not be used as a solution during a global pandemic. Confinement for those experiencing homelessness only furthers the chances of contracting or spreading COVID-19.

Encampment sweeps force people experiencing homelessness to relocate which puts them at risk of losing connection to service providers and at a greater risk of contracting and spreading the virus. Cities should abide by the CDC’s recommendation to stop encampment sweeps.

Local authorities should depopulate shelters and other congregate living facilities. Isolation during this time is a vital step to stopping the virus. Overpopulated shelters cannot realistically comply with CDC social distancing standards. Cities and counties should utilize the state’s COVID-19 relief funding to continue increasing hotel room occupancy for those experiencing homelessness.

Providing vacant hotel and motel rooms for those who are unhoused during the COVID-19 crisis is a humane and safe way to ensure safe shelter and limit the spread of the virus.

We must take action to ensure that individuals facing homelessness are protected and provided humane forms of isolated shelter.

Catch up on the recording of our June 25 webinar, Support for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness, here.

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TAKE ACTION

Get the word out!

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    1. Traditional crowded homeless shelters can't realistically abide by social distancing recommendations. Local governments should maximize use & allocation of vacant hotel & motel rooms for those experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. #FTCOI https://actionnetwork.org/forms/flatten-the-curve-of-inequality-supporting-the-unhoused
    2. Our local government should not criminalize survival or poverty. The criminal legal system should not be used as a solution during a global pandemic. #FTCOI https://actionnetwork.org/forms/flatten-the-curve-of-inequality-supporting-the-unhoused
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