Study Finds Individual Housing Reduced Coronavirus Rates in People Experiencing Homelessness

Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) who were at high risk of severe COVID-19 were 2.5 times less likely to contract COVID-19 if they were provided with individual hotel rooms and medical and social support compared to citywide rates in homeless shelters, according to new research. The findings provide hard data demonstrating these types of interventions can be highly effective for improving stability for PEH and that increasing healthcare and social support access can drive better health outcomes and improve health equity. “All of this has public health implications. When you think about how much time and money is spent every time someone ends up in the ER because they’re experiencing homelessness… These data show us that a medical housing approach could help,” said Elizabeth Tung, MD.