To stay up to date about the coronavirus crisis in Kentucky and guidance for how to keep yourself healthy, see the state website: www.kycovid19.ky.gov.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made its way to Louisville. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), COVID-19 is a new, contagious respiratory disease that is rapidly spreading across the world. And according to the World Health Organization, the coronavirus is officially a pandemic.
As always, the Coalition for the Homeless is most concerned about the most vulnerable Louisvillians: those who have no choice but to sleep outdoors, in communal shelters, in their cars, in abandoned buildings, or on relatives’ couches. Such sleeping arrangements put people at risk for a variety of health concerns, and COVID-19 is no different.
It is difficult to follow the best practices of washing your hands and avoiding being in close quarters with others if you don’t have access to running water or live in a home of your own. People experiencing homelessness also have a higher rate of chronic illness than people with stable housing.
Louisville’s day shelters, emergency overnight shelters, and street outreach teams are accustomed to managing public health crises, but COVID-19 introduces new challenges. Together, we are working closely with the Department of Public Health and Wellness and following guidance from the National Alliance to End Homelessness to do what we can to protect such a vulnerable population.
Our member agencies are in desperate need of the same personal hygiene items that are in short supply across the city, state, and country—including hand sanitizer, toilet paper, facial tissue, disinfectant spray, and face masks. There are also many grassroots organizations who are working fervently to serve people in need. We urge the community to rally to support them all, including by making a financial gift if you cannot gather supplies.
Finally, it’s important to note that poverty exacerbates medical conditions and health concerns. The Coalition is concerned not only about the people who are currently experiencing homelessness, but also about the 25% of Louisvillians who experience housing instability every single day. These Louisvillians are rent-burdened, meaning they are often one health crisis or unexpected bill away from not being able to make their rent payments. They will have to make the difficult decision of going to work sick or facing eviction due to not having enough money to pay rent.
As such, the Coalition urges landlords to consider grace periods for tenants who cannot work due to illness, and for employers consider extending paid leave to employees. We also invite Louisvillians to get involved in enacting a legislative agenda that would offer more protections to people living in poverty and experiencing homelessness; learn more at louhomeless.org/advocate.
In 2018, the Coalition’s partners served nearly 8,000 people in shelters or on the streets. Together, we are working hard to protect those vulnerable Louisvillians, and we are grateful for the engagement of our community to do the same.
A list of Coalition member agencies with linked websites can be viewed here.
