Shelters of Last Resort: Examining Systems of Congregate Emergency Shelter for Homeless and Vulnerable Populations During COVID-19
Friday, October 16
Every day, hundreds of thousands of homeless Americans are crowded into emergency shelters. Many of the homeless have severe and persistent co-occurring behavioral and medical disabilities, including drug and alcohol addictions. Using a public health and safety lens, this webinar examines the challenges, options, and emerging model practices to address the daunting task of providing shelters and longer-term housing options for vulnerable populations during COVID-19.
This is the second installment of a three-part webinar series discussing the challenges and emerging model practices for housing, sheltering, and congregate population management during the pandemic. More information on the other webinars in this series.
Referenced materials:
- Interim Guidance on Unsheltered Homelessness and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for Homeless Service Providers and Local Officials
- Investigating and responding to COVID-19 cases at homeless service provider sites
- Fact Sheet: Population At-Risk – Homelessness and the COVID-19 Crisis

Facilitator
Clark Kimerer
Assistant Chief (Retired), Seattle Police Department
Vice Chair, Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) (Seattle)

Panelist
Daniel Malone
Executive Director
Downtown Emergency Service Center
Panelist
Donell Harvin, PhD
Chief, Homeland Security and Preparedness
Washington, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

Panelist
Justin Brown
Chief, Office of Emergency Management
D.C. Department of Human Services