HOPE Moves to Provide Resources and Make Vacant Units Available for Immediate COVID-19 Response
HOPE is currently home to more than 350 people with developmental disabilities in more than 100 housing locations who are able to “Shelter in Place” due to the generous support of our community partners over the years. Thank you.
by Lauren Quijano and Ian Nevarez
COVID-19 is changing the way that we live and work, but it is certainly not changing the importance of our mission to address the housing needs of people with developmental disabilities. This global health crisis is challenging our team in many ways. As HOPE complies with current public health guidelines, we have transitioned to telecommuniting for most of our daily operations. Historically reliable funding sources have been forced to pull financial support for our mission so that they can respond to coronavirus related medical needs. Long-standing HOPE fundraising events are having their future viability called into question. Lastly, government partners, of which we so heavily rely upon for collaboration on housing development, have pivoted their priorities and resources toward their residents’ direct COVID-19 related public health needs. This final challenge potentially leaves HOPE’s housing project in jeopardy. Despite these numerous roadblocks, we know that we must continue to push our mission forward in new and innovative ways.
With the state’s “Shelter in Place” order requiring Californians to stay home to minimize the spread of coronavirus, existing households that include individuals with developmental disabilities have the potential to become overcrowded and under-resourced. Before this crisis began, many in this population were already living in unstable or inadequate housing, not to mention those who were outright homeless. Furthermore, those individuals living in overcrowded or communal settings are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because of their limited ability to practice social distancing and self-isolation if they or one of their housemates become ill with the virus.
In direct response to this public health crisis, we have pivoted from our usual mission of creating long-term affordable housing to instead creating short-term emergency homes for people with developmental disabilities who contract coronavirus and may be in need of a place to self-isolate. HOPE is swiftly converting 12 vacant or recently acquired units to make them available to the Regional Center system, which is currently providing COVID-19 related services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. HOPE estimates that we have invested $75,000 to cover the expenses for these activities, and will pursue other funding sources that can support our coronavirus related needs. Now more than ever, HOPE reflects on how our core mission to create stable, affordable housing is so critical to protecting community health during uncertain times.
HOPE housing on Clark Ave. in Long Beach.
Research shows that, in general, the quality of one’s housing is a social determinant of health. Without access to a safe, stable home, a person with a developmental disability is at greater risk of experiencing negative health outcomes. We have now learned that underlying health conditions are a significant factor in how severely COVID-19 will impact those who contract the virus.
Additionally, low-income people with developmental disabilities who do not have access to affordable housing must spend a substantial percentage of their income on rent alone. This rent burden limits their ability to save money, purchase healthful foods, cover healthcare-related expenses, pay for transportation, pursue educational and career goals, etc. Simply put, rent-burdened individuals are frequently one emergency event away from being unable to cover housing expenses, which increases their risk of homelessness substantially. According to the U.S. Institute of Medicine, homelessness increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions related to living in extreme conditions, malnutrition, skin problems, asthma, mental health disorders, and trauma. We are proud that HOPE’s more than 100 housing locations are now serving as shelter for our residents while “Safer at Home” preventative measure are in place.
In early spring, as the public health crisis grew, we quickly reacted by formulating a plan to mitigate risk to our mission. This plan included connecting with each of our property management, service provider, and financial partners to ensure that our current portfolio of housing would continue to operate as stable homes for those we serve. We worked to establish open lines of communications and created new systems as needed to respond to the changing landscape. Our team implemented a flexible and adaptive work schedule to allow our employees to balance their family, community, and work responsibilities. HOPE believes that by allowing our team to take care of themselves and their own mental health, we will be setting them up to remain productive and focused on their essential work. Because of these tactics that were implemented early on during the COVID-19 crisis, our team remains active and responsive to our residents, stakeholders, and partners.
Our Executive Director Kristin Martin brings this point home:
“While this work is not easy, we continue to overcome coronavirus related challenges to fulfilling our mission. We will aim to keep our work manageable and moving forward. Every housing unit that we secure is a success. Every unit will potentially save a life and contribute to the world that we have always envisioned: a world where all people with developmental disabilities can live in safe, stable housing.”
We understand that many people with developmental disabilities who work are also under-compensated and earn minimum wage in service industry jobs. Potentially there is a large portion of these individuals who are currently being laid off or furloughed. We are posting, monitoring, and providing COVID-19 related resources on our website on issues such as unemployment, tax assistance, services, food, healthcare, transportation, etc.
Supported Living Services Personnel at a HOPE event.
We extend our thanks to all of our community partners, supporters, long-time friends, and Board Members who have reached out to us to lend their support during this critical time. We also thank our grant funders, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for making our work possible. Without your contributions, many lives would be at risk. We applaud the thousands of Supported Living Services personnel and Regional Center employees for continuing to conduct their essential work for such a large and vulnerable population. Furthermore, we share our deepest gratitude to the front-line healthcare workers and emergency responders in their commitment to preserving the lives most affected by coronavirus, and for risking their lives every day for the health and safety of our community.
HOPE’s immediate activities addressing COVID-19 related emergency housing needs of people with developmental disabilities has cost more than $75,000. Please support our mission by clicking the button below: