MORGANTOWN — “Uncharted territory,” is how Rachael Coen, chief programs officer with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, describes efforts to assist the homeless while the world grapples with the COVIS-19 pandemic.
Coen is part of new task force aimed specifically at assisting the county’s sheltered and unsheltered homeless in a time of social distancing and self-quarantines
“We’ve never been through anything like this before — nobody has. It’s uncharted territory for everybody,” Coen said. “This is where a leader needs to come forward and say, ‘Ok, we’re going to make decisions based on all the guidance we’re receiving and decide what will work best for our community.’ I feel like we’ve done that.”
Along with Coen, the task force is comprised of representatives from Bartlett House, Milan Puskar Health Right, United Way, MECCA 911, Mon Health and WVU Hospitals
“We know the homeless population is more vulnerable. A lot of those folks have preexisting conditions,” Coen said. “We’ve been on webinars, statewide calls and national calls for over two weeks. We want to know, what are the next steps if someone in the homeless population tests positive, because it can spread so quickly.”
Bartlett House Executive Director Kari DeMasi said the group is looking at the possibility of getting mobile hand washing stations and porta potties for the unsheltered who no longer have access to restroom facilities due to the closure of nonessential businesses and restricted access to those that remain open.
As for the sheltered, DeMasi said Bartlett House has 40 people sheltering in place at its West Run apartment facility and another 24 holed up at its location on University Avenue.
“We, as an organization, have been in lockdown, self-quarantining and sheltering in place for 12 days now,” DeMasi said. “We’re bringing in all the meals. We’re serving medications. We’re providing entertainment items.”
DeMasi said Bartlett House isn’t taking anybody in at this time.
“We don’t want to undermine what we’ve tried to do for the folks who have come in,” she said, explaining that everyone’s temperature is checked daily, community areas are off limits and quarantine space is available at both locations.
People are not forced to stay, DeMasi explained, but if they leave, they can’t return.
According to Coen, COVID-19 has upended the way all social services operate. She said adhering to the governor’s shelter-in-place order and trying to match individuals up with housing is difficult, as is procuring protective equipment and hygiene items like hand sanitizer for those living unsheltered.
DeMasi agreed.
“I think it’s important to note that everybody is trying their best to navigate these uncharted waters. We’re trying our best to listen to every single bit of guidance that’s coming out to make sure we’re prepared, if necessary, to make a hard left turn and shift directions if we need to,” DeMasi said. “We’re in no way saying this is business as usual.”
Coen said new clients entering the homeless services system should call the WVCEH’s call-in line at 833-722-2014.
“Like always, we’ll be working with people on a case by case basis to determine what the best thing is for them,” she said
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