Purpose: Homeless service provider sites (such as sites for overnight emergency shelters, day shelters, and meal service providers) can present unique challenges for COVID-19 investigation and public health action. Because homeless service provider sites can be crowded settings, the virus may spread easily. Additionally, clients at homeless service provider sites are often older adults or have underlying medical conditions, making it more likely for them to have severe illness from COVID-19.
To help prepare homeless service providers to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, review CDC guidance specific to homeless service providers and people experiencing homelessness. The following considerations are for public health response to cases at homeless service provider sites, which is not outlined in the other guidance documents.