Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and HIV Spotlight the United States Imperative for Permanent Affordable Housing

Job loss and evictions tied to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are expected to increase homelessness significantly in the coming months. Reciprocally, homelessness and the many vulnerabilities that inevitably accompany it are driving COVID-19 outbreaks in US shelters and other congregate living situations. Unless we intervene to address homelessness, these co-existing and synergistic situations will make the current public health crisis even worse. Preventing homelessness and providing permanent affordable housing has reduced the ravages of the HIV epidemic. We must take the lessons learned in 40 years of fighting HIV to respond effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. Housing is an investment that will curb the spread of COVID-19 and help protect all of us from future pandemics.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to increase homelessness due to job loss and evictions, which in turn drive outbreaks in congregate living situations. By preventing homelessness and providing affordable housing, we can effectively curb the spread of COVID-19 and protect against future pandemics.