COVID-19 & Policy Issues
Our Advocacy
We are working on your behalf to mitigate the impact of this crisis on individuals experiencing homelessness. We are communicating with Congressional leaders on priority areas around health, housing, and homelessness in the constantly evolving national landscape. We have a state and local policy agenda as well asย an action agenda for public health authorities and emergency response systems. Weโll continue creating spaces for our community to share best practices. See more of what weโre doing below.
Looking for federal guidance or local protocols? See our COVID-19 Resources.
Want to receive our biweekly COVID-19 e-blast? Sign up here and find archives here!
Specific Policy & Advocacy Goals:
- EVERY community has identified appropriate isolation/quarantine accommodationsย for people who are homeless.
- EVERY community has banned evictions, encampment sweeps, vehicle tows, and other actions that destabilize living spaces
- EVERY community is taking proactive, constructive actions to assist unsheltered populations living on the street and in encampments, such as provision of hand-washing stations and bathrooms
- EVERY homeless health care provider has sufficient levels of PPE, supplies, and support from local emergency response systems
- EVERY community is supporting Continuums of Care (CoCs), shelters, transitional housing programs, food programs, and other homeless services providers to ensure they are able to continue providing vital services while also keeping their staff and clients safe
- EVERY community leverages emergency funding to increase medical respite program capacity, and other services provided in shelters and temporary housing to meet the health care needs of those needing ongoing care
- EVERY community is deploying outreach teams to deliver needed information, supplies, and services to unsheltered populations, and does this in a trauma-informed manner
National HCH Council Materials
- Summary: Key Provisions in the ‘Build Back Better’ Act
- Fact Sheet: Administrationโs COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate: Frequently Asked Questions for the HCH Community
- Issue Brief #13: COVID-19 and the HCH Community: Interim Lessons Learned from the Pandemic
- Issue brief #12: Using HRSA Health Center Funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to Improve Systems of Care for People Experiencing Homelessness
- Blog/British Medical Journal: Bringing COVID-19 Vaccines to High-Risk PopulationsโLike Those who are HomelessโRequires a Tailored Approach
- Resource: Summary of Key Provisions in the American Rescue Act
- Letter to Governors and Local Officials: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Access for People Experiencing Homelessness
- Written Testimony:ย House Energy & Commerce Committee: Subcommittee on Health
“Road to Recovery: Ramping up COVID-19 Vaccines, Testing, and Medical Supply Chainโ - Summary: Biden Administrationโs โNational Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparednessโ (read the full plan here)
- Resource:ย Strengthening Partnerships for Better Health Outcomes During COVID-19 (as part of The Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response)
- Issue Brief # 11: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Consumer Perspectives of the COVID-19 Vaccine
- Fact Sheet:ย Summary of Key Provisions in the COVID-19 Relief Bill: H.R.133-Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
- Statement:ย Long-Overdue COVID-19 Relief Bill Passes
- Issue brief #10: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Vaccines for Patients and Staff
- Issue Brief #9: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Six Crises Leading Into Winter 2020
- Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Relief Money & Support for the HCH Community
- Issue Brief # 8: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Ensuring Access to Care Through State Medicaid Telehealth Policies
- ย NHCHC’s comment letter to the National Academies of Science on their Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine
- Comparative Analysis Paper: COVID-19 Response in Countries with Single-Payerย & Implications for Impoverished Populations
- Resource: Summary of Key Provisions in HEALS Act
- Issue Brief # 7: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Further Illustrating the Benefits of ‘Medicare-for-All’
- Issue Brief #6: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Strategies for Proactive Universal Testing
- Resource: Summary of Key Provisions in HEROES Act
- Issue Brief #5 : COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Medical Respite Care & Alternate Care Sitesย ย
- Issue Brief #4:ย ย COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Comprehensive Testing & Services For People Experiencing Homelessnessย
- FAQ: COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments
- FAQ: COVID-19 Federal Funds and Policies
- Resource: Summary of Key Provisions in Federal Legislation
- Press Release: The Council Commends Passing of the CARES Act
- April 2020 Mobilizer: Mega COVID-19 Edition 2.0
- March 2020 Mobilizer: Mega COVID-19 Edition
- Issue Brief #3: Reducing Harm for People Using Drugs & Alcohol During the COVID19 Pandemic: A Guide for Alternate Care Sites Programs
- Issue Brief #2: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Needed Actions from Public Health and Emergency Response Systems
- Issue Brief #1: COVID-19 & the HCH Community: Needed Policy Responses for a High-Risk Group
- Letter to National Governors Association (NGA)Letter to State and Local Health Officials (ASTHO & NACCHO)
Federal Legislation
- Phase 1: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act
- Phase 2: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Phase 3: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act
- Interim Stimulus Bill “Phase 3.5”: Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
Our Partner’s COVID-19 Landing Pages
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- National Association of Community Health Centers
- National Low Income Housing Coalition
Find government documents and guidance on our main COVID-19 resources page.
This page is being regularly updated. Please contact rreed@nhchc.org with questions or suggestions.
Get Involved
Subscribe today to Receive our latest e-newsletters
This website is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,967,147 with 20 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Copyright ยฉ 2022 National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Inc.ย
604 Gallatin Ave., Suite 106 | Nashville, TN 37206 | (615) 226-2292
Privacy and Payment Policies