99% Invisible Unsheltered in Place
Apr 14, 2020
Jen Loving, CEO of Destination Home, discusses the urgent needs of the homeless population in Santa Clara County during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kenneth Morrison, a modern European history professor, provides insights into the historical use of hotels as shelters during crises. They delve into California's Project Room Key, highlighting challenges and community efforts to repurpose hotels for the homeless. The conversation uncovers systemic failures in addressing homelessness and the pandemic's exacerbating effects on vulnerable populations.
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Disrupted Reporting
- Katie Mingle had been reporting on homelessness in the Bay Area for 1.5 years.
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted her reporting process.
Homeless Vulnerability
- Homeless people are highly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions and age.
- Studies show they are more likely to be hospitalized and die from the virus.
COVID-19 Hotspots
- Shelters and encampments pose a high risk for COVID-19 transmission.
- Social distancing is nearly impossible in these settings.