Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by County: Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality

It was clear upon the pandemic’s outset that homeless adults would be especially vulnerable to severe illness and death from COVID-19 due to their advanced age, poor health, and congregate living conditions, and that immediate action was necessary to protect them. As Congress was debating the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March of 2020, I co-authored a report that projected COVID infections, ICU cases, and deaths among homeless adults and calling for urgent and decisive steps to prevent unnecessary tragedy.