BALTIMORE, MD.  — Beginning this week, the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services will begin to relocate vulnerable homeless residents over the age of 62 from the City’s three emergency shelters to motels. Mayor Young issued the following statement:          

“This effort allows our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness to isolate safely, while allowing our team to help monitor their health,” Mayor Young said. 

On March 20, the City began transporting and supporting homeless individuals who were tested for COVID-19 and awaiting test results to a motel for isolation. Since that time, 56 individuals who were homeless or living in congregate settings have been served in this isolation location.

This week, 150 vulnerable, but healthy, individuals from the City’s three emergency shelters will be moved to motels.  In addition, remaining residents currently sheltering at the Monument Street Shelter, will be relocated to a larger and more suitable location to allow for social distancing.

“We are relocating homeless individuals that are over 62 and residing in City shelters to motel rooms in order to help protect them from COVID-19.  We continue to work with our non-profit partners to provide safe lodging and support for all of our homeless clients.” Said Jerrianne Anthony, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services.

This relocation effort builds on the City’s efforts to serve vulnerable populations during this pandemic.  The City Health Department, MOHS, Health Care for the Homeless and area hospitals have developed a screening and testing protocol for homeless individuals and the MOHS continues to reach out to those who stay in encampments and on the streets. 

For those interested in additional information about the City’s plan to protect homeless individuals from COVID-19, MOHS will host a virtual meeting at 3:30pm on Tuesday, April 7th.  To register for  the virtual meeting, click here.