For most of us growing up, homelessness and poverty are things that we have not had to worry much about. However, some are not so lucky. According to the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, “3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year.” However, ever since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, that number has been on a rise.

   Due to the pandemic, everyday things are becoming more expensive. Many businesses are trying to recover from the shut down causing prices to rise and fewer jobs to be offered. With this, affordable housing is disappearing, jobs are disappearing, and welfare is harder to get access to. According to the National Association of Realtors house prices were up 10% in 2020. Many people without jobs are now also unable to pay rent and eventually they get evicted, causing even more people to become homeless. According to Aspen Institute, the eviction crisis put 30-40 million people at risk of eviction.

   Being homeless during the coronavirus pandemic is not easy.  It is important that with this pandemic we are limiting contact with people we don’t know. But if you are living on the streets, many people walk past you, whether they are walking to work, school, the store, etc, and you generally cannot control your surroundings as you would be able to when staying at home. If these people ever contract this disease they are also unable to isolate themselves, or even find an easily accessible testing site. They don’t have the money to be able to afford the basic necessities in order to take care of themselves. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association shares that “34.7% of all sheltered adults who were homeless had chronic substance abuse issues.” These issues can then lead to issues with your blood, liver, brain, heart, and more. With all of these symptoms already on the line, their battle with COVID is going to be much more difficult.

  All in all, a lot of work needs to be done by local governments and communities to help protect our country’s homeless population. Research by the American Homeless Institute recently concluded that “$11.5 billion is necessary for 400,000 new shelter beds needed to accommodate everyone who is unsheltered and to ensure appropriate social distancing, and the creation of quarantine locations for the sick and exposed.”

    After hearing all of this, you are probably wondering how you as an individual can help. Obviously, we are unable to give all of these people homes, but what we can do is provide a more comfortable, clean, and safe shelter. The first way you can help is by volunteering. Many homeless shelters like Shelter House Cincy are looking for volunteers to help serve food. If you are unable to donate time you can always donate canned food to support their food pantries.  

  We all know that this is a hard time for everyone but always remember how lucky you are for the things that you do have. You all have the ability to go to school and get a free meal at lunch, you all have access to the internet and news, and most importantly you all have a house to go home to. Many people all across the world have it much worse.