New COVID protocols at the Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside
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Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) has operated the Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside since 2005. We are the largest Shelter in the State of Ohio, typically serving 400 people a night and 3400 unique individuals per year. Handling crises is not new in our line of work: homelessness itself is a crisis. Over the years we have witnessed recessions, housing bubbles burst, high unemployment rates. However, we have been confronted with a new and unknown threat to pile onto an already vulnerable population – Covid19. This disease has affected every person around the globe. However, those who are homeless are more likely to be infected and die from this disease.
In late March, the entire homeless services Continuum of Care (CoC) in Cuyahoga County rose to the crisis of coronavirus and immediately put plans into action. The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) and The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quickly stepped in and helped us launch short term solutions, including gift cards to assist in diverting people from congregate shelters to friends and family. Additionally, three hotels have been operating as satellite shelters in effort to provide necessary social distancing not possible in a full congregate shelter. Since the end of March 2020, we have reduced the LMM Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside census by 65%, and served over 400 unduplicated people in hotel rooms.
In addition to hotels, many changes in Shelter operations have been implemented including cordoning off hallways to allow six-foot distance, installing Plexiglas shields at the front desk and in the shuttle bus, scheduled hand-washing reminders, ongoing sanitation of surfaces. We even took down a chain-link fence which separated the parking lot of the Shelter and our greenspace on our adjoining side lot to encourage more free movement outside. Additionally, we provide masks for all clients and staff at the Shelter and hotels. The community has really come together to help during this time. County Emergency Response Department, volunteer “Sewing Ladies”, United Way, The Cleveland Foundation and corporate America, Yellow Cake and Case Western Reserve University (to name a few) all stepped up with fabric and disposable mask donations for clients and staff.
Distance and masks are critical to combat the spread of this disease. Since March, a dedicated team of MetroHealth staff have partnered with LMM and other homeless services providers to assist in strategy, screening, and testing of Shelter staff and clients. Metro has been vital as a partner and continues to share up-to-date Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations and guidelines and is a continued presence in partnering with LMM to risk stratify to reduce transmission of the virus in our Shelters.
Because of the virus and associated economic fallout, homelessness is projected to increase 40-50% according to a Columbia University study . CARES Act funding has provided opportunities for solutions and innovation for serving those who are homeless. Despite the predictions of huge increases in homelessness, we remain committed to serve those in need. Even in the midst of Covid, we continue to provide a shelter bed to anyone who presents for one.
This piece was written for the Campus District e-news by Erin Kray , Associate Director of Housing and Shelter at the Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside
