LAHSA is conducting outreach with the homeless population to get people services during the coronavirus emergency. (photo courtesy of lacounty.gov)

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has extended the Winter Shelter programs and is working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during the coronavirus health emergency.

LAHSA has a representative at the Emergency Operations Center for the state of California to increase coordination with Los Angeles County. LAHSA’s outreach teams are receiving additional training on best practices for addressing a coronavirus outbreak among the homeless population, and LAHSA is procuring additional sanitation equipment for outreach teams for their personal protection and to assist vulnerable people on the streets including masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. Staff, partners and providers have been notified about best practices to prevent and prepare. LAHSA is also working with the Department of Health Services to develop and disseminate training specifically for outreach and shelter providers. More than 300 sites have been identified countywide for mobile hand washing stations.

Winter shelters to remain open include the Salvation Army’s The Way In program in Hollywood.

For information, visit lahsa.org.