One of the greatest challenges of the COVID pandemic has been preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in homeless shelters. Area shelters have required those seeking shelter to show proof of a negative test before being admitted.
The time lapse between testing and receipt of results led to hundreds of unsheltered individuals at risk of contracting the virus during the waiting period and still being admitted to shelters based on outdated information.
Upon learning that the Texas Department of Emergency Management had COVID rapid antigen tests, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Eviction Prevention Task Force and Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance swung into action.
(Image courtesy of citydoc.net)
They submitted an emergency appeal to Governor Greg Abbott to allow the Texas Department of Emergency Management to deploy these tests for the homeless population, eliminating the high-risk waiting period.
The Office of the Governor responded almost immediately and requested a delivery plan for the tests. Upon approval of the plan and requisite training, the homeless rehousing system would receive 6000 rapid test kits with the supply to be periodically replenished.
The plan was finalized and Family Gateway, Our Calling, and The Family Place stepped up to serve as testing sites. Their staff quickly completed training, tests were delivered, and the testing has begun.
Armed with proof of a negative result, area shelters can now admit these families and individuals immediately.
Blake Fetterman (Courtesy of the Texas Tribune)
Blake Fetterman, Executive Director of The Salvation Army’s Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, was effusive in her praise of United Way’s Eviction Prevention Task Force and MDHA: “We couldn’t be more thankful to be included in such a coalition of service providers, donors, and elected and appointed officials that continue to step up to serve our neighbors in need during these challenging times. As testing is a necessary step to reduce the spread of COVID-19, access to the rapid tests strengthens our already in place protocols while giving people experiencing homelessness immediate access to shelter.”
Carl Falconer, President and CEO of MDHA, noted: “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Office of the Governor, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, and all of our partners who worked hard to make this happen. Many organizations working together towards a common goal solved an acute problem that will not only help those experiencing homelessness stay safe and healthy, but also get them one step closer to ending their homelessness through rehousing.”
