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LAHSA NEWS:

Continuing to Address the Coronavirus

LAHSA is continuing to monitor the developments related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and taking appropriate measures to prepare for a possible outbreak among people experiencing homelessness.

Below is an update on LAHSA's efforts:

LAHSA has made tremendous strides standing up its Tier 1 shelters (hotel/motels targeting people who are asymptomatic but highly vulnerable per CDC guidelines).
In coordination with the State, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles, LAHSA is operationalizing more than ten master leases with hotel/motels in the next week totaling more than 700 beds and additional sites are coming on daily (including through the weekend).
The first hotel of the Tier 1 system began operations today. When fully operational, the hotel will provide shelter for 136 individuals.
Earlier this week, there was a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Union Rescue Mission (URM). LAHSA is working closely with URM to support:
We provided URM with 1,000 masks to help prevent spreading through the URM site.
LAHSA and DHS are working with both URM and Midnight Mission to identify the highest risk individuals at their sites so we can facilitate placement in hotels/motels to support decompression and safety.
LAHSA Homeless Engagement Teams (HET) shifted all efforts towards our coordinated COVID outreach response, in just two weeks across LA City,
1,007 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness have been contacted and provided education and information about COVID-19
375 hygiene kits have been distributed
58 people have been placed directly into interim housing. This is in addition to the support we provided in getting folks to the shuttle stops to fill the 563 MSEP shelter beds added in the past two weeks.
We are continuing our coordinated outreach in Skid Row with LAHSA HET, DHS Administered C3, and DMH HOME teams, with work focusing on our most vulnerable on Skid Row.
In partnership with the City of Los Angeles, we are developing a plan to better space out tents to decompress areas and achieve optimal social distancing in Skid Row.
The Department of Public Health did site inspections of all interim housing sites on Skid Row and helped them think through isolation areas. They are also hosting trainings for shelter providers.
We welcomed LAHSA's New Senior Coordinator for Skid Row on Wednesday. He has significant unsheltered and Skid Row/Metro experience and will prioritize mobilizing all providers and advocates to improve health communications and increase uptake of social distancing.
LAHSA has built a team to build out a multi-agency (LAHSA, DHS, DMH, DPH) call center to serve as a centralized referral source for shelter beds during the COVID-19 crisis.

From the Office of Emergency Management
Isolation/Quarantine Efforts (Tier 2)
More than 900 medical sheltering beds are now available for people in need;
More than 1,000 beds will be added by the end of the week;
At this time, medical sheltering has been set up at approximately eight locations, including the following locations: Dockweiler Beach; Martin Luther King, Jr. Recuperative Care Center; and, several hotels located throughout the County including, in downtown Los Angeles, near Los Angeles International Airport, Lancaster, Pomona, Sherman Oaks, and Van Nuys.

Resources for homeless service providers:

*NEW* CDC: Screening Clients for Respiratory Symptoms at Entry to Homeless Shelters
LAHSA: COVID-19 Guidance for Los Angeles County Homeless Services Community
HUD: Materials Posted: Infectious Disease Preparedness Guidance for Homeless Assistance Providers
USICH: Planning and Preparing for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
DPH: Infection Prevention Basics for Homeless Shelters
DPH: COVID-19: Guidance for Homeless Shelters
DPH: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Assessment Tool for Homeless Shelters

LAHSA is a joint powers authority of the city and county of Los Angeles, created in 1993 to address the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles County. LAHSA is the lead agency in the HUD-funded Los Angeles Continuum of Care, and coordinates and manages over $400 million annually in federal, state, county, and city funds for programs providing shelter, housing, and services to people experiencing homelessness.