Responding to Homelessness in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Featured Housing, Homelessness, Housing, SDOH, Vulnerable Populations

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Being homeless means you are more vulnerable to the spread of infectious disease than are people with housing. Building on his research concerning pandemics and homelessness during the H1N1 influenza outbreak, Dr. Stephen Gaetz outlines 5 recommendations for addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Download this one-page fact sheet for his recommendations.

Download the Resource

How to use this resource:

  • Advocate for the rights of those experiencing homelessness with policy-makers and front-line organizations
  • Support discussion, decision-making and public health planning among policy-makers and front-line organizations addressing COVID-19 risk and management in emergency and short-term housing shelters
  • Facilitate discussion about the inequities of those experiencing homelessness during a pandemic and its importance to containing of the spread of infection and diseases

Related Resources:

COVID-19 Response Framework for People Experiencing Homelessness

Finding and Securing Housing During a Pandemic

References

Gaetz, S. (2020). Responding to Homelessness in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Canadian Observatory of Homelessness. 

Engaging for Health Equity is a project of the Division of Social Accountability.

The DSA is proud to be a part of the Saskatoon Inter-Agency Response to COVID-19 and for the critical equity-informed work that is happening in Saskatoon.

Important: For public health recommendations on COVID–19 (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and risk, and travel advice), please visit the Government of Canada’s website.

For Saskatchewan COVID-19 news and information, visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s website.

The DSA office is situated in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis and we acknowledge Saskatchewan as the traditional territory of First Nations and Métis people, which includes Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another. We recognize the legacies of colonialism and systemic racism in Saskatchewan, which requires focused and sustained societal efforts as we confront historical and contemporary injustices and achieve health equity for all.