WHOLE COMMUNITY CONFERENCE

JULY 19, 2012

HOMELESS POPULATIONS IN DISASTER PLANNINGHOMELESS POPULATIONS IN DISASTER PLANNING

Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy Sabrina Edgington, MSSW, Program and Policy SpecialistSpecialistNational Health Care for the Homeless CouncilNational Health Care for the Homeless Council

Limited access to media outlets to receive emergency communication

Limited resources to take risk deduction measures

Laws that criminalize homelessness push people out of public areas making them harder to reach

Most shelters are closed during the day

Lack of transportation for evacuation

Poor social support networksHigh prevalence of mental illness,

trauma, disability

VULNERABILITIES CONTRIBUTING TO DISASTER RISK

Develop an interagency emergency plan that describes: Entity responsible for maintaining and updating the plan

Entities that have a supporting role in maintaining the plan

Description of incident command and contact information

Roles and responsibilities of various entities

Documentation protocols/after action reporting

ESTABLISH A HOMELESS SPECIFIC INTERAGENCY PLAN

Homeless Commissions Homeless Coalitions/ Homeless Alliance HUD Continuums of Care (CoC) - local planning bodies

responsible for coordinating the full range of homelessness services in a geographic area, which may cover a city, county, metropolitan area, or even an entire state.

ORGANIZING HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS

Contact your local Continuum of Care lead:www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewCocContacts

Which residential shelters/churches will open its doors during severe weather and emergencies (when Red Cross shelters aren’t open)? Plan for logistics (security, cots, hygiene kits, food, etc.)

Which agencies will deploy outreach teams to communicate emergency information?

Which agencies will assist in transportation to shelters/churches or when evacuation is needed? Where are the pick up points?

FORMALIZE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Which agencies will be called to provide services at alternate sites when needed?

How will recovery assistance be coordinated?

How will people experiencing homelessness become aware of these efforts?

FORMALIZE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

INCIDENT COMMAND

Homeless Outreach TeamsTrained in engagement strategiesSkilled in trauma informed communicationKnows the homeless community Trusted by the homeless communityCulturally competent

SOME RESPONSE RESOURCES

Health Centers/Mobile Medical TeamsFederally Qualified Health Centers (Health Care for the Homeless projects) receive federal funding to provide primary care and other servicesSome are equipped with mobile medical vansFederal liability coverage to provide care at emergency service sites if its in their service areaMay be a source for outreach workers and case managers

SOME RESPONSE RESOURCES

Contact your local FQHC:findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

Housing People living in camps may

be eligible for rental assistance and compensation for personal belongings (FEMA - non-traditional living quarters)

HUD allows people affected by disasters to be moved to the top of waiting lists; also allows resources to be shifted from one program to another.

Disaster Case Management

RECOVERY RESOURCES

One stop resource fair for people experiencing homelessness

Great place to provide preparedness material/ recruit people for trainings/give away emergency kits

Can be coordinated after a disaster to provide access to information and services

Can be a way to help people connect with friends and support

Volunteer opportunity

PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT

MORE INFORMATION

National Health Care for the Homeless Council Emergency Preparedness Resources

www.nhchc.org/resources/clinical/tools-and-support/emergency-preparedness/

CONTACT INFORMATION:Sabrina Edgington

sedgington@nhchc.org615/226-2292

QUESTIONS?