HOTHC cares about the health of you and our community. We recognize the seriousness of the outbreak for people experiencing homelessness, or those who are living in poverty, who have higher risks of exposure to infectious disease, have a harder time accessing high-quality healthcare, and are often overlooked during emergencies. In an effort to help, we have compiled a list of resources to assist in your preparation for a possible coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak from our federal partners and local agencies we work with.
Additionally, if you have resources you would like to donate, contact us at heartoftexashomelesscoalition@gmail.com or donate via PayPal to HOTHC to support the work of our local homeless service providers.
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has a dedicated phone line to answer your COVID-19 related questions or concerns. This phone line is for general questions only and not diagnostic related. If you are feeling ill, please see a healthcare provider. The number is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please call 254-750-1890. You can also visit their website at COVID-19 Information Page.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please check the Family Health Center website at http://www.wacofhc.org/covid-19/ for detailed instructions on how to proceed.
If you are in need of assistance with rent or mortgage payments because you have been affected by COVID-19 due to job loss and reduction in income, please go to https://www.eoacwaco.org/community-services/city-of-waco-rental-assistance/ to learn more about the City of Waco Rental Assistance Program that EOAC Waco is operating.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
- COVID-19 Information Page, Waco-McLennan County Public Health Department
- COVID-19 Information Page, Family Health Center
- COVID-19 Information Page, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Coronavirus Information Landing Page, CDC
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and You Handout, CDC
- What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Handout, CDC
Key Takeaways for Service Providers
- Be prepared by staying informed about your local COVID-19 situation and establish relationships with public health partners in our community
- Communicate with staff and clients about facility preparedness and policy updates (i.e. modified hours, non-urgent care by telephone, etc.), and consider using social media to do so
- Expect the homelessness services sector workforce to be impacted, and anticipate modified service delivery based on staff capacity
- Protect your workforce by screening clients, staff, and visitors for acute respiratory illness, ensuring use of personal protection equipment, and encouraging sick employees to stay home
- Protect your clients by separating those with respiratory illnesses, and implementing prevention strategies to minimize exposure (i.e. encouraging frequent hand-washing, increased surface cleaning/disinfection, etc.)
- Take inventory of supplies (hand soap, food, and more) and order more if necessary.
Resources for Service Providers
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Managing Anxiety and Stress
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- National Health Care for the Homeless Council
- United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
- National Network for Youth
- COVID-19 Resources for Youth Homelessness Providers
- SSVF Providers
- SSVF Partner Agency Map
- SSVF Response to COVID-19 Response, U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs
- National Network to End Domestic Violence
- OrgCode
- Pandemic Planning and Services that Support People Who are Homeless
- CSH
- National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Rural Health Information Hub
- National Association of Social Workers
- From Other Communities
- Homeless Hub
Resources for Those Experiencing Housing Instability/Homelessness
- Go to Service Provider Update page for updates from service providers about hours, services available, etc.
- City of Waco Rental/Mortgage Assistance from EOAC
- Act Locally Waco Community Resource Page
- Texas Workforce Commission to apply for unemployment
- Videoconferencing AA & NA groups for people in recovery
- National Alliance for Mental Illness
- La Puerta Waco – Resources for the Spanish speaking community. Recursos para la comunidad de habla hispana.
- Stimulus Check: If you have not filed taxes or not had income, you are still eligible. Go to www.irs.gov and there is a tab for “Non-Filers.” Click on this tab, and you will be instructed to enter the following information in order to receive your check:
- Full name, current mailing address and an email address
- Date of birth and valid Social Security number
- Bank account number, type and routing number, if you have one
- Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) you received from the IRS earlier this year, if you have one
- Driver’s license or state-issued ID, if you have one
- For each qualifying child: name, Social Security number or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number and their relationship to you or your spouse
- Spectrum Internet Access
- They are opening WiFi hotspots for public use.
- They will continue to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, their high-speed broadband program to eligible low-income households.
