Housing case manager: None of us are really prepared for this
Joey – Minnesota
For the most part of 3 years I've been a housing case manager for people who have been long-term homeless. It's a job many may know about when mentioned, but is often forgotten about. I am proud to say the people who battle homelessness and their caseworkers here are a tight knit community, and I'm glad I am a part of that.
We've weathered outbreaks, super bowls, and fires in the shelter before; but this one is by far the most worrisome.
Our volunteers and interns understandably abandoned us, so a lot of us are being cross-trained this week to pick up shifts at the shelter, which is now required to run 24/7. I believe the shelter should always run 24/7; but due to capitalism, we rely on grants, and unfortunately we don't receive enough to always stay open. Because of this sudden change, and still without enough resources, we are waiting on our first shipment of bandanas for protection, and are armed with gloves and a can of Lysol.
There is a hotel that can hold about 150 elderly people in the shelter system aged 60 or older in Minnesota (for anyone interested: call Adult Shelter Connect at 612-248-2350). Over the course of a few years, a lot of elderly homes have been defunded, causing a lot of senior adults to enter homelessness in the midwest area. There are a lot of homeless people over age 60 who will be denied essentially just a room in the hotel. They don't have access to any other amenities outside of that hotel room (no food service, pool time, etc.). We haven't even talked about people with compromised immune systems, because there aren't any resources for them, except to stay in a 24/7 shelter. Thankfully our shelter is on the smaller end of about 30 people. Simpson Housing and St. Stephens provide larger shelters.
None of us are really prepared for this. I’ve already heard about fights breaking out at the shelter. Shelter systems are typically set up with one worker at a time, who is relied upon to be security, secretary, cook, crisis intervener, counselor, and server.
An upside is that shelter workers will at least be receiving time and a half due to the crisis. However, I believe this amount of pay is deserved year round with or without a pandemic. I'm glad that there is some relief, but there needs to be more and it needs to stay.
People who want to have a home should have one. Our system should have better resources and accommodations for those who are nomadic. I digress; we need to stand up, now is the time! I'M TIRED OF SHIT.
