Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by County; Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality

This report estimates the potential hospitalization, ICU use and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 infection among the homeless population in the United States, as well as unmet need for emergency and observational/quarantine beds/units. Results project that homeless individuals infected by COVID-19 would be twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die than the general population. The analysis suggests that 400,000 new beds are needed to meet the emergency accommodation and social distancing needs of the single adult homeless population on a given day, and that the total estimated cost to meet the nation’s emergency shelter and observational/quarantine units need is approximately $11.5 billion for one year. The second edition explores alternatives for emergency accommodation including private accommodations, congregate shelters, sheltering in place, and emergency coordination of care.

Predictors of homelessness among families and single adults after exit from homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing programs: evidence from the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program

This article assesses the extent and predictors of homelessness among Veterans (both Veterans in families with children and single adults Veterans) exiting the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, which is a nationwide homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing program geared primarily towards those experiencing crisis homelessness. Among rapid re-housing participants, 16% and 26% of single adult Veterans experienced an episode of homelessness at one and two years post-SSVF exit; the comparable figures at those follow-up times for Veterans in families were 9.4% and 15.5%, respectively. Relatively fewer single adult Veterans and Veterans in families receiving homelessness prevention services experienced an episode of homelessness at one and two years post-SSVF exit. Veteran-level characteristics, including age, gender, prior history of homelessness and recent engagement with VA healthcare were generally more salient predictors of homelessness following SSVF exit than variables measuring SSVF program factors, or community-level housing market conditions.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center on Homelessness Among Veteran

The Emerging Crisis of Aged Homelessness

This report summarizes a multi-site study in three localities - Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles County - of the anticipated future of the aged homeless population, its likely impacts on health and shelter systems and resulting costs, and the potential for housing solutions. Specifically, this report summarizes the following analyses:Forecasts of the size of the aged homeless population to 2030Projected costs associated with the use of shelter, health care, and long-term care by this aged homeless populationSegmentation of the forecasted aged population based on the intensity of health and shelter use by various subgroupsPotential service cost reductions associated with housing interventions based on scenarios from prior literatureThe net cost of the proposed housing interventions based on the potential for shelter, health, and nursing home cost offsetsThe report concludes with some considerations regarding how to pay for potential housing solutions, given the complexity of the various funding streams. Absent new housing solutions, substantial public resources will otherwise be spent unnecessarily on excess shelter, health, and long-term care use.Click "Download" to access this resource

Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by County; Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality

This report estimates the potential hospitalization, ICU use and mortality rates associated with COVID-19 infection among the homeless population in the United States, as well as unmet need for emergency and observational/quarantine beds/units. Results project that homeless individuals infected by COVID-19 would be twice as likely to be hospitalized, two to four times as likely to require critical care, and two to three times as likely to die than the general population. The analysis suggests that 400,000 new beds are needed to meet the emergency accommodation and social distancing needs of the single adult homeless population on a given day, and that the total estimated cost to meet the nation’s emergency shelter and observational/quarantine units need is approximately $11.5 billion for one year. The second edition explores alternatives for emergency accommodation including private accommodations, congregate shelters, sheltering in place, and emergency coordination of care.