Eyal Gutentag on the long-term impact Covid 19 may have on the homeless population

There is no denying that health and housing have always been interconnected. This link has only grown stronger during the COVID-19 crisis. During a time when “stay-at-home” is a key measure for keeping the public safe, it has been difficult to protect our homeless communities. In this article, Eyal Gutentag, a housing expert and longtime Angeleno, examines the long-term impact COVID-19 will have on our city and it’s most vulnerable residents.

The city of Los Angeles has been making attempts to combat the coronavirus among our city’s homeless population, including permanent hand-washing stations being installed just last week on Skid Row and in North Hollywood. Despite predictions for mass spread amongst encampments, positive coronavirus test rates among homeless have actually remained relatively low. Advocates say the fact that the majority of homeless individuals spend most of their time outside in open spaces has potentially had some positive impact due to air circulation. But there are plenty of problems besides the illness itself that have risen during the pandemic that will impact the homeless crisis long term.

Ultimately, we want our homeless population to move off the streets, into shelters, and integrate back into housed living situations. Shelters can provide a safe and encouraging system for this transition. It is currently difficult for shelters to maintain social distancing protocols, limiting the number of individuals who can be housed in one building safely. This lack of shelter space also affects prevention techniques for those who are on the edge of homelessness.

According to Eyal Gutentag, the U.S. already had a major affordable housing crisis before the pandemic began. In Los Angeles, many low-income families were already forced to pay more than they could afford for housing. Now, due to the pandemic, many people are suddenly out of work and without a place to stay. One in five adult renters were behind on rent in July. Many renters have been protected from eviction by eviction moratoriums, but many of those moratoriums are expiring soon.

Usually, shelters can help those threatened with homelessness get back on their feet before they become chronically homeless. This disproportionately impacts Black and Hispanic people, Indigenous people, victims of domestic abuse, LGBTQ+ youth, kids aging out of the foster system, and those who are released from prison. We already had a shortage of shelter beds in LA before the pandemic, and the problem is only worsening. Without enough fully functioning shelters, our homeless population will continue to grow exponentially.

Another homelessness issue that will be impacted long term by the COVID-19 pandemic is access to employment. Prior to the crisis, those experiencing homelessness already had many barriers to re-entering the workforce. One of the biggest hurdles for many in exiting homelessness is finding a sustainable, long-term job. Many Angelenos, even housed individuals, are currently unemployed and struggling to find work. Low-wage, gig employees in sectors without union protections are seeing the most impact. If it’s difficult even for individuals with extensive work experience to find opportunities, our homeless populations are not in a good position to get out of their current situations.

A rise in homelessness in Los Angeles would overwhelm an already strained system. Without an intervention, many will be left without access to much needed resources and unable to recover financially. Unemployment is expected to remain high through 2022, which could have devastating impacts long-term. Eyal Gutentag emphasizes the need for states to improve the way our housing, health, and economic systems work together. We must join forces to address these issues in order to protect our own. The best way to survive this crisis is together.