Congregate Shelter COVID-19 Policies and Recommendations →
This guide was created in partnership between Santa Cruz County’s Department of Human Services, Housing for Health Division, and the Health Services Agency, Public Health Division. It is for emergency congregate shelters serving people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County during the COVID-19 pandemic. This guidance is intended to provide both County requirements and practice recommendations for safe sheltering. It may be modified as the local response develops and/or more is known about the disease.
The CDC’s Interim Guidance for Homeless Service Providers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)’s Infection Control Guidance for Clients in Congregate Shelters, Including Shelters for People Experiencing Homelessness should also be used for reference, as they will be kept current on best practices for sheltering during the pandemic.
Emergency Shelter Standards
Shared emergency shelter standards are currently in development. They will be posted here once finalized and approved by the Housing for Health Partnership.