Sheltering the Homeless during COVID-19 in San Jose, California

A Scoping Review of the Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Persons Experiencing Homelessness in North America and Europe

“…Despite the negative impact of the pandemic on housing insecurity, many studies described instances in which housing supports were provided or improved for PEH. Ten articles noted that shelter services were expanded, or new temporary shelters were established, as part of the pandemic response [ 26 , 36 , 48 , 54 , 74 , 94 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 ], and 21 reported that PEH were temporarily housed in repurposed hotels [ 7 , 12 , 23 , 38 , 39 , 47 , 48 , 54 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 94 , 95 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 ]. Two studies mentioned participants staying in hotels but did not indicate whether their stay was related to temporary pandemic housing programmes [ 87 , 105 ].…”

“…Isolation or quarantine accommodation for PEH who were symptomatic, confirmed cases was noted in 44 articles. Of these, the majority reported that access to temporary facilities to safely isolate or quarantine was provided [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 69 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 80 , 94 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 101 , 107 ], with 15 specifically describing hotels converted for this purpose [ 12 , 21 , 33 , 40 , 41 , 46 , 53 , 58 , 73 , 86 , 99 , 100 , 106 , 108 , 109 ]. Fuchs et al [ 53 ] found that premature discontinuation of hotel isolation or quarantine was associated with experiencing unsheltered homelessness and requiring quarantine as a close contact.…”

“…In some cases, barriers to hygiene were exacerbated by the pandemic; reduced access to showers [ 88 , 94 , 109 ], toilets [ 94 ], laundry [ 88 , 94 ], and other personal hygiene products and services [ 13 ] were discussed by several studies, with some noting that barriers were due, at least in part, to public closures [ 12 , 94 , 97 , 109 ]. However, some studies indicated that PEH had access to showers [ 39 , 40 , 55 , 68 , 94 , 100 ], toilets [ 39 , 68 , 94 , 100 ], or laundry [ 94 , 100 ]. Access to general hygiene products or services was also noted in five studies [ 48 , 53 , 86 , 100 , 101 ], all of which were provided by organisations or shelters.…”

“…However, some studies indicated that PEH had access to showers [ 39 , 40 , 55 , 68 , 94 , 100 ], toilets [ 39 , 68 , 94 , 100 ], or laundry [ 94 , 100 ]. Access to general hygiene products or services was also noted in five studies [ 48 , 53 , 86 , 100 , 101 ], all of which were provided by organisations or shelters. In a few studies, access to showers [ 39 , 55 ] and hygiene products [ 11 ] was reported as improving for some PEH during the pandemic.…”

“…Hand hygiene among PEH was discussed by numerous studies. Many noted that PEH were able to wash their hands [ 11 , 13 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 47 , 66 , 85 , 88 , 100 ], access soap [ 11 , 42 , 47 , 88 ], or access hand sanitiser [ 11 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 60 , 69 , 88 , 100 ]. Use [ 100 ] or provision [ 66 ] of gloves to PEH was also mentioned by two studies.…”