Homework Submission
09//19/2024
MPH 502 FALL 2024
Dr. Henry Armstrong, D.B.A., MBA
MPH 502 Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health
Project Assignment # 1
Project Roomkey
Project Room key was established in March 2020 as part of the state response to the COVID-19
pandemic. The purpose of Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy was to provide
noncongregate shelter options, such as hotels and motels, for people experiencing homelessness,
to protect human life, and to minimize strain on health care system capacity. With the help of
Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy, those who are homeless and undergoing COVID-19
recovery—or who have been exposed to the virus—can find a suitable place to rest and recover
outside of a hospital. Additionally, it offers a secure location for isolation for those who are
homeless and at a high risk of developing health problems in the event that they contract an
infection.
The goal of Project Roomkey and Rehousing Strategy is to swiftly allocate resources in order to
guarantee that Project Roomkey units are operational during the ongoing public health
emergency and that homelessness does not reoccur. While the Rehousing Strategy aims to
prevent any Project Roomkey resident from being forced to leave into unsheltered homelessness
by creating and implementing more permanent alternatives, Project Roomkey units are designed
to be short-term, emergency shelter options until more suitable long term accommodations can
be arranged.
Public Health Issue
Compared to the rest of the country, California's population of people experiencing homelessness
are disproportionately unsheltered and chronically homeless. These individuals die prematurely
and suffer a greater burden of illness, including communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis A,
hepatitis C and TB. They are seen as a population that is riddled with drug use, however that id
not always the case. Some may have just lost their job and as a result need a hand-up as opposed
to charity as they want to work and become productive members of society again.
Population
Having a place to call home is the most foundation for health and well-being no matter one’s age,
gender, race, or zip code. But many thousands of individuals in California each year experience
homelessness and its destructive effects. Polling shows that consistent polling by voters have
shown that they believe the homeless problem as the #1 issue in the state, and are demanding
that policymakers create more programs, shelters and draw increasing attention to this issue in
recent years. Understanding the scale, impact, and drivers of homelessness in California can help
guide effective policy solutions and action to end this crisis however studies and surveys in my
opinion need to be done to get to the root cause of the homeless issue. Compared to the rest of
the country, California's population of people experiencing homelessness are disproportionately
unsheltered and chronically homeless. These individuals die prematurely and suffer a greater
burden of illness, including communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis C and TB.
They are seen as a population that is riddled with drug use, however that id not always the case.
Some may have just lost their job and as a result need a hand-up as opposed to charity as they
want to work and become productive members of society again. Having a place to call home is
the most foundation for health and well-being no matter one’s age, gender, race, or zip code. But
many thousands of individuals in California each year experience homelessness and its
destructive effects. Polling shows that consistent polling by voters have shown that they believe
the homeless problem as the #1 issue in the state, and are demanding that policymakers create
more programs, shelters and draw increasing attention to this issue in recent years.
Understanding the scale, impact, and drivers of homelessness in California can help guide
effective policy solutions and action to end this crisis however studies and surveys in my opinion
need to be done to get to the root cause of the homeless issue.
Intervention Level- Services for Intervention
Medical attention, housing assistance, and other social and supportive services are examples of
these services. They can support people's continued participation in drug and mental health
treatment as well as their efforts toward housing stability. However, I propose that each person
that is experiencing Homelessness be given an assessment, and, on the questionnaire, we ask
specific questions as to what led to becoming Homeless. If offered a place to live would there be
any physical or emotional barriers for you to have a long-term residency at the location or until
you get into a system that allows you to maintain a residence on your own. After a CLINICIAN
reviews the intake assessment, we will have more insight as to will housing work for the
individual or do they, for example need to attend therapy or SUD treatment before committing to
a new place of residence.
Primary Sector- Income support
Housing subsidies, helping to locate a place to live and rental supplements, financial education,
paid work therapy, and one-on-one placement and support are a few examples of what this can
encompass. In essence they should complete some type of Re-entry service program with
evidence based therapeutic courses that will help them to become more cognizant with their
financial decisions and the ability to budget their finances.
Collaborations with urban CBO’s
To create more long-term housing, it would be very beneficial to ctreate collaboration with local
based organizations or “drop-in centers” that can assist them when they are feeling overwhelmed
or become frustrated with the sudden thrust of so many responsibilities put upon them in a short
period of time.