Experiencing Homelessness in the COVID-19 era

While many have bunkered down, socially distanced and worked from the safety of their homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 53-year-old Mary Lou Reikens could not do the same.

Without a home since August of 2019 and disabled, she struggled to find safety amid the outbreak.

“The coronavirus is just another obstacle thrown in the face of us less fortunate,” Reikens said.

Those who have experienced homelessness in the Milwaukee area reached 885 in 2019, according to Milwaukee Point-in-Time, an organization that works with The Milwaukee Continuum of Care to provide solutions around homelessness. 

There has not been a clear updated number on the amount of homeless individuals in the Milwaukee area since the pandemic began. However, shelters have reported seeing an increase in residents.

Reikens became disabled in 2016 and lost her husband in 2019, followed by the loss of her home. Unable to qualify for disability, Reikens began working at a local grocery store. Although she has a job, she often struggles to make it to work.

“I work a few hours a week, I have clothes, shoes and usually something to eat, but I am still homeless,” Reikens said. “After work, I come to the shelter where I am able to sleep comfortably and eat. I have a lot more than others but it’s not always enough.”

Her experience in the shelter has changed significantly during the past year.

As the pandemic broke out in early 2020, many shelters across the state had to develop new methods on how to operate safely and effectively.

The Centers for Disease Control’s guidelines for homeless shelters include keeping people six-feet apart, avoiding handling personal belongings, implementing masks and increased cleaning protocols.

“In the past, if we got really full we would have guests sleeping close to three feet apart and not (think) anything of it,” said Milwaukee Women’s shelter employee Shannel Lee. “We then had to rearrange everything to make sure we could provide some distance. Personal space was not always a priority in our shelter before.”

As vaccines become available, a new challenge will be making sure those shots reach the arms of shelter residents.

In Wisconsin, those residing in shelters have been placed in group 1B for receiving the vaccination, meaning they became eligible on Mar. 1. However, there is still some confusion on exactly where and when residents can go to receive their vaccine. 

“It’s been a struggle,” said Lee. “We haven’t really heard much about the vaccinations. We hoped there would be a system where every resident could get vaccinated here at once, but we’ve now learned it is not that simple.”

The CDC now recommends establishing points of dispensing or PODs throughout the community to offer vaccination. Locations should be convenient so that people experiencing homelessness can easily access them, the guidelines say.

There are no known POD’s in the Milwaukee area.

“We’re waiting for vaccination clinics to open up near our shelter,” said Lee. “Not everything is always accessible for the homeless. For example, many of our guests struggle to get tested for the virus because a lot of places want you to stay in your car. What if you don’t have a car?”

The Women’s Shelter and many others around the area do not require a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Unless otherwise directed by local or state health authorities, according to the CDC facility procedure considerations.

“We don’t turn someone away if they are sick,” said Lee. “They are simply isolated into a separate room and receive care where necessary.”

Wisconsin has begun rolling out community-based vaccination clinics where individuals can go to get vaccinated.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said the state plans to launch more vaccination clinics in the coming months.

The Milwaukee Women’s Shelter has continued to provide housing and essentials for those who need it. It has remained open to the public as an essential service since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

“Life around here has changed a bit,” said Reikens. “I have been seeing younger women coming in, often with children but they are usually here to pick up some hygiene items or food.”

In 2019, 592 entire family households became homeless out of the 4,538 total people homeless in Wisconsin, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. 

“It is scary,” said Reikens.” I do what I can to stay safe at work and when I am at the shelter. It’s exhausting, but I haven’t gotten sick yet.”