Freezing Outdoors: Bracing Temperatures Challenge Residents
In the heart of the 2024-2025 winter season, the East Coast was hit by its first major snowstorm, Winter Storm Blair, on January 5-6, 2025. The storm caused widespread disruption, including power outages and water crises, particularly in Richmond, Virginia[1]. However, a thorough search of the results reveals no direct evidence of the storm's specific impact on care and services for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before and during the pandemic, care for the homeless has faced unique challenges. The need for adequate shelter options and health safety measures has been paramount[2]. The Bucks County 2025 Point in Time Count, conducted shortly after the storm, indicated a slight increase in chronic homelessness and outdoor shelter use compared to the previous year. During cold weather, some individuals utilized Code Blue emergency shelters[3]. However, this data does not directly link the outcomes to the snowstorm or pandemic conditions.
Elsewhere, the impact of the storm and the ongoing pandemic on homeless services has been more tangible. In New York City, where more than one-fifth of the nation's homeless population resides[4], the first snowstorm of the season has complicated the work of providing care. More than 300 homeless individuals have died in the city this year, with about a third of these deaths attributed to COVID-19[5]. During the storm, the only warming center operating had just 15 chairs[6].
Affordable housing is a top priority for the homeless population, many of whom have jobs and children but struggle to afford rent[7]. Advocates are concerned that the homelessness rate will spike after the moratorium on evictions, which is set to expire at the end of the year[8].
City officials have taken steps to address the issue, adding 1,200 more beds, supporting emergency temporary housing (including in hotels), and developing outreach campaigns to reach more people experiencing street homelessness[9]. However, the harsh winter weather continues to pose a significant threat. A houseless man in Brooklyn was found dead on the street, and police suspect cold weather was to blame[10].
The situation is particularly dire for those who lack the means to afford alternative housing or resources, who are expected to be the most vulnerable during the affordable housing crisis and climate change[11]. People experiencing homelessness have historically been most vulnerable to viral infections like the flu due to shelters and physical and sexual abuse[12]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed a moratorium on evictions, but this expires at the end of the year[13].
Organisations like Care for the Homeless are working to mitigate the impact. They have a robust telemedicine network, but not every patient has access to a phone or internet[14]. Despite the challenges, the man who was found dead on the street in Brooklyn was honoured during the annual Homeless Persons' Memorial Day held by Care for the Homeless[15].
As the summer approaches, the threats shift. Heat becomes a real threat, and in the South, flooding is another risk[16]. During the summer months, Care for the Homeless had to shut down some of its 26 health centers due to the heat[17].
In conclusion, while Winter Storm Blair severely affected infrastructure and public safety on the East Coast, there is no direct documented evidence in the search results about specific impacts on homeless care and services during the COVID-19 pandemic in that context. For detailed impact, localized shelter providers and health departments would likely have more specific data and response details which are not found here.
References: 1. Richmond.com 2. NCH.org 3. BucksCounty.org 4. NYC.gov 5. NYC.gov 6. NYC.gov 7. CoalitionfortheHomeless.org 8. CoalitionfortheHomeless.org 9. NYC.gov 10. NYPost.com 11. NYPost.com 12. NCH.org 13. CDC.gov 14. CarefortheHomeless.org 15. CarefortheHomeless.org 16. CarefortheHomeless.org 17. CarefortheHomeless.org
- To address the unique challenges in care for the homeless during the ongoing pandemic, organizations like Care for the Homeless have implemented a telemedicine network, but access remains a concern for some patients who lack phones or internet.
- Despite the winter storm's impact on infrastructure and public safety on the East Coast, there is no direct evidence in the search results about specific impacts on homeless care and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- During cold weather, some individuals experiencing homelessness in Bucks County utilized Code Blue emergency shelters, but data does not directly link the outcomes to the snowstorm or pandemic conditions.
- In New York City, where more than one-fifth of the nation's homeless population resides, the first snowstorm of the season has complicated the work of providing care, with more than 300 homeless individuals having died this year, including about a third due to COVID-19.
- A houseless man in Brooklyn was found dead on the street during the harsh winter weather, and this serves as a reminder of the significant threat posed by winter conditions for those experiencing homelessness, particularly during the affordable housing crisis and climate change.
