1. How does COVID-19 impact people experiencing homelessness?  

• The National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) informs us that people experiencing homelessness are uniquely vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, and to experience harsher effects of the virus. To view their full statement, click here.  

2. Have there been any confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people experiencing homelessness in our area?  

• Yes, there have been confirmed cases of COVID-19 among those experiencing homelessness in our community. The homeless response system has worked quickly and collaboratively with the relevant public health authorities to isolate those affected (if necessary) and to assist them with recovery.  

3. What is being done to help people experiencing homelessness during COVID? 

• The Coalition of the Homeless and The Way Home, our local homeless response system, have been working hard to assist people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic in many ways, including: 
• Short-term response:  

1. Worked with the City of Houston, Harris County, and the Downtown Management District to place hygiene stations around known encampments and to collect and distribute donations of PPE to frontline staff and people experiencing homelessness. 
2. Helped local emergency shelters to implement social distancing by working with the City of Houston and the Salvation Army to set up an “auxiliary shelter” so that other shelters could de-densify. 
3. Worked with Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston to set up a COVID testing process for people experiencing homelessness.
4. Worked with the City of Houston and Harris County to set up an isolation and quarantine facility in a hotel, where people experiencing homelessness could safely isolate and recover if they tested positive for COVID or were symptomatic and awaiting test results. 

• Long-term response: 

1. With funding from the City of Houston,  Harris County, and private philanthropy, we will be working to permanently house 5,000 people experiencing homelessness under the Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program. Because for people experiencing homelessness, housing is healthcare. To learn more about the CCHP, click  here. 
2. Many of our partners have their doors open to assist those in need, meanwhile staying compliant with safety and hygiene protocols.  

4. What testing is being done for the homeless population? 

• (For Houston/Harris County) Mobile testing, physical test sites, and even testing provided to shelters has been ongoing for the homeless population and those who work in shelters. This includes tests for people who are symptomatic as well as surveillance testing to identify trends or areas of COVID spread. 

5. What is our ability to house people? 

• Throughout this pandemic we have continued to house people experiencing homelessness; however, with new programs and funding coming available through the CCHP, we will have the ability to house those experiencing homelessness at a much higher rate. 

6. What barriers has The Way Home Continuum of Care (CoC) encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Some of the barriers the CoC has encountered since the COVID-19 outbreak include the limited access to emergency shelters and basic need facilities due to social distancing requirements, the slow down of client move-ins due to new protocols and adjustments in the housing process, and difficulty in communicating with clients due to the lack of access to technology (including cell phones and computers). 
• The CoC has also encountered barriers related to the lack of PPE equipment and basic needs supplies for people experiencing homelessness and general staff. To see how you can help those in our community, please click here. 

7. What is standard protocol for frontline staff when interacting out in the field and with clients to prevent the spread of COVID?  

• View the Provider Guidelines document to view recommended practices on ensuring the basic needs, health, and housing stability of clients while working remotely. 
• We encourage everyone (staff and clients) to follow CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Please click here to view the CDC interaction guidelines. 

1. What is being done to reduce transmission of COVID-19 among the unsheltered population (e.g., those living in encampments) and meet their basic needs?  

• The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Downtown Management District have placed hygiene stations around known encampments and high-traffic areas while outreach teams have continuously been handing out hygiene kits and PPE to those most vulnerable. Much of the PPE has been donated by our amazing community members; click here to view donation and volunteer opportunities.  
• Many of our partners continue operations to assist those in need, while staying compliant with safety and hygiene protocols.  

2. What plans are in place to test unsheltered people?  

• Mobile testing, physical test sites, and even testing provided to shelters has been ongoing for the homeless population and those who work in shelters. 

3. What is standard protocol when interacting out in the field and with clients? 

• We encourage everyone (staff and clients) to follow CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Please click here to view the CDC interaction guidelines. 
• View the Provider Guidelines document to view recommended practices on ensuring the basic needs, health, and housing stability of clients while working remotely. 

4. What is being done to manage the various encampment locations?  

• As a system we are closely working in encampments to ensure the spread of the COVID-19 virus does not spread throughout these vulnerable areas.  

5. What are the recommendations for client intake /assessments?  

• Assessments should be conducted via the phone if possible, if not, take care to ensure both staff and clients follow all CDC guidelines while conducting in-person assessments and intake. 
• Please click here to view the HELP card which lists assessment locations under the Coordinated Access (Housing Assessments) tab. 
• We encourage everyone (staff and clients) to follow CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Please click here to view the CDC interaction guidelines. 

1. What are the recommendations for case managers to conduct business with their clients?  

• View the Provider Guidelines document to view recommended practices on ensuring the basic needs, health, and housing stability of clients while working remotely. 
• We encourage all case management and navigation staff to stay safe and follow CDC guidelines. With that being said, we highly encourage all staff to remain in weekly contact with their clients to ensure their safety and needs are continuing to be met. 
• We encourage everyone (staff and clients) to follow CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Please click here to view the CDC interaction guidelines. 

2. What are the barriers to permanently housing people experiencing homelessness during COVID?  

• Current barriers include the lack of: housing vouchers, access to documentation like Social Security Cards, ready and available units, and funding. 

3. Are clients currently being housed through PSH? 

• Our efforts to house those experiencing homelessness have not stopped during this pandemic, and our collaboration with our partners has become even stronger as we find new ways to get those off the streets and into housing. In collaboration with the City of Houston, Houston County, and many of our partner providers, we have developed the Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program (CCHP) to house approximately 5,000 experiencing homelessness over the next two years to protect them from COVID. Please click here to learn about CCHP.  

1. Where can I find information on the next round of rental assistance? 

• Texas Rent Relief
• Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance 
• Fort Bend County COVID Assistance Programs

2. Rental Assistance Program Flyer

• Rental Assiatnce Program - Round 2 
• Rental Assiatnce Program - Round 2 (Spanish)

1. What plans are in place to provide care and treatment to people experiencing homelessness who are suspected or confirmed positive for COVID-19?  

• An isolation/quarantine facility has been developed for those who live in Houston or Harris County and are suspected or confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, and who are not eligible to isolate elsewhere (e.g., because they are currently residing in a congregate shelter).  

2. Where can clients get tested? 

• Clients who are now housed can visit any of the county or city testing sites: 

1. Harris County Testing Sites
2. Montgomery County Testing Sites
3. Fort Bend County Testing Sites
4. Pasadena Testing Sites

• Individuals experiencing literal homelessness will need to start the COVID testing process at one of The Way Home shelters or with an outreach provider. Our partners will follow protocols to move forward based on the inital results. 

3. What is being done out in the community to reduce the spread of COVID-19? 

• The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Downtown Management District have placed hygiene stations around known encampments and high-traffic areas while outreach teams have continuously been handing out hygiene and PPE to those most vulnerable. Much of the PPE has been donated by our amazing community members; click here to view donation and volunteer opportunities.  
• In collaboration with the City of Houston, Houston County, and many of our partner providers, we have developed the Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program (CCHP) to house approximately 5,000 experiencing homelessness over the next two years to protect them from COVID. Please click here to learn about CCHP.  

1. Where can clients go to receive food during this time?  

• Many of our partners have continued their operations to assist those in need, while staying compliant with safety and hygiene protocols. Please click here to view the HELP card and our partners available to assist with these needs.  
• Note that many agencies have changed their hours or operations as a result of COVID. We recommend you call ahead to get the latest information.

2. Where can clients go to shower and wash their clothes during this time?  

• Many of our partners have continued their operations to assist those in need, while staying compliant with safety and hygiene protocols. Please click here to view the HELP card and our partners available to assist with these needs.  

1. Is match required for new CARES ESG dollars?  

• What’s different about funding coming from CARES Act:  

1. 100% match is not required  
2. Ability to serve Program Participants up to 50% AMI 
3. 60% cap on emergency shelter or street outreach would not apply 
4. Environmental and habitability waiver of temporary shelters  
5. Increase in ESG Administrative funds 

• For TWH CoC, please click here to refer to the ESG Written Standards Addendum for more details.  

2. I receive ESG funding and have questions about eviction suspension during COVID-19. 

• Click here to view the guidance from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.    

3. I receive ESG funding and have questions about habitability inspections during COVID-19. 

• Click Here to view the guidance from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.    

4. I receive ESG funding and have questions about ESG policies, ESG eligible costs and COVID-19. 

• Click here to view guidance from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.  

5. Can I use CoC funding for the COVID-19 preparedness and response?  

• Click here for guidance from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development on using CoC funds for infectious disease preparedness and response.  
• If you require an amendment to your current CoC Grant to respond to COVID-19, please click here to review this suggested document and format.    

HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development issued emergency regulatory waivers to the ESG, CoC and CON Plan requirements in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  The following are the list of waivers: 

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Program Component

• CoC 

Waived Requirement

• Participant self-certification of income.
• During waiver period, annual income may be documented by written certification by the program participant of the amount of income that the program participant is reasonably expected to receive over the 3-month period following the evaluation, even if source documents and third-party verification, are obtainable. 

Duration of Waiver 

• Effective through 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC 

Waived Requirement

• Use owner certification in lieu of initial HQS inspection - Leasing and Rental Assistance
• Requirement that units be inspected prior to occupancy is waived provided: 1. Owner certifies that they have no reasonable basis to have knowledge that live-threatening conditions exist in unit; 2. The recipient/subrecipient has written policies to physically inspect units within 3 months after health officials determine special measures to limit spread of COVID-19 are no longer necessary.

Duration of Waiver 

• Effective through 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC/PH- RRH Only 

Waived Requirement

• Suitable dwelling size requirements waived for RRH. 
• The requirement that each unit assisted have at least one bedroom or living/sleeping room for each two persons is waived for RRH leases executed between 9/30/20 and 12/31/20.  

Duration of Waiver 

• Extends until the later of 1) the end of the initial term of the lease; or 2) 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC 

Waived Requirement

• Homeless status is retained for up to 120 days for people exiting an institution.
• An individual may qualify as literally homeless provided they are exiting an institution where they resided for 120 days or less and resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.  

Duration of Waiver 

• Effective through 3/31/21

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Program Component

• CoC RRH Rental Assistance

 Waived Requirement

• 24-month Rental Assistance restriction. 
• Program participants who have reached 24 months of rental assistance and who will not be able to afford their rent without additional rental assistance will be eligible to receive rental assistance until 3 months after a state or local public health official has determined that special measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are no longer necessary.

Duration of Waiver 

• Effective until 3 months after local/state determination

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Program Component

• ESG RRH Rental Assistance 

Waived Requirement

• The ESG CV Notice established that program participants who receive the maximum amount of assistance (24 months within 3 years) between January 21, 2020 and March 1, 2021 may receive an additional 6 months of rental assistance and services.

Duration of Waiver

• Applies to ESG RRH participants who receive the maximum amount of assistance (24 months within 3 years) between January 21, 2020 and March 1, 2021

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Program Component

• All CoC Projects 

Waived Requirement

• Grant Amendments and Renewal Applications
• The requirement that the renewal grant amount be based on the budget line items in the final year of the grant being renewed is waived for all projects that amend their grant agreement between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021 to move funds between budget line items in a project in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients may then apply in the next FY CoC Program funding cycle based on the budget line items in the grants before they were amended.  

Duration of Waiver

• Applies to grant agreement amendments executed between 3/31/20 and 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC Permanent Supportive Housing 

Waived Requirement

• Change to DedicatedPLUS Eligibility
• For Dedicated Plus projects awarded in the 2018 and 2019 competitions, people who were chronically homeless prior to entering TH will qualify as Dedicated Plus regardless of whether the TH is being eliminated.  

 Duration of Waiver

• Applies to Dedicated Plus projects awarded in the 2018 and 2019 competition – expiration date varies by project and is determined by grant end date.

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Program Component

• CoC/ESG

 Waived Requirement

• FMR for Individual Units and Leasing Costs
• Units assisted under leasing may rent for more than the applicable FMR provided that the rent passes rent reasonableness test. 

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC Permanent Supportive Housing 

Waived Requirement

• Disability Documentation for PSH
• Disability determination can be based solely on staff-recorded observation of disability. Other documentation does not have to be provided within 45 days. A written certification by the individual seeking assistance that they have a qualifying disability is acceptable documentation to initiate assistance.
• Our CoC has created a temporary COVID VOD 

Duration of Waiver

• Effective until public health officials determine no additional special measures are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19

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Program Component

• CoC  

Waived Requirement

• Limit on Eligible Housing Search and Counseling – Arrears Allowable 
• CoC Program funds may be used for up to 6 months of a program participant’s utility arrears and up to 6 months of program participant’s rent arrears, when those arrears make it difficult to obtain housing.

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through 3/31/21

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Program Component

• CoC/ESG Rapid Rehousing and Prevention 

Waived Requirement

• RRH Monthly Case Management - Waived
• Program participants are not required to meet at least monthly with their case manager. 

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• CoC 

Waived Requirement

• HQS Re-Inspection of Units for Leasing and Rental Assistance – Waived
• Requirement to annually reinspect for HQS is waived 

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through 3/31/21

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Program Component

• CoC/ESG  

Waived Requirement

• One-Year Lease Requirement.
• Initial term of all leases must now be at least one month. 

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through 3/31/21 

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Program Component

• ESG Prevention 

Waived Requirement

• Re-evaluation of need for assistance every 3 months
• Requirement waived provided that participants are re-evaluated at least every 6 months

Duration of Waiver

• Effective through March 31, 2022

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Program Component

• ESG-CV Housing Stability Case Management 

Waived Requirement

• Requirement that participants in rapid rehousing or prevention meet with case manager monthly
• Requirement is lifted to meet with case managers and for re-evaluation of at-risk of homelessness 

Duration of Waiver

• Duration of availability of ESG-CV funds