HHS Expands COVID Testing and Mitigation for Homeless Shelters and Encampments

With coronavirus cases on the rise, the Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) announced that it will invest more than $1.6 billion in testing and mitigation for high-risk congregate settings, including homeless encampments and shelters for people experiencing homelessness and for people fleeing domestic violence.

The funding will come from the American Rescue Plan and expand activities to not only detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor infections but also prevent further spread of the virus. Coronavirus cases are rising among unvaccinated people and in places where the Delta variant is surging.

“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we can make sure high-risk environments like correctional facilities and shelters for those experiencing homelessness have greater capacity for testing to prevent potential outbreaks and continue our nation’s progress in moving out of the pandemic,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Of the roughly $1.6 billion:

• $80 million will support state and local testing and mitigation for people experiencing homelessness , in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ); and
• $550 million will support state and tribal testing and mitigation for people experiencing domestic and dating violence , through the Administration for Children ( ACF ) and Families' Family Violence Prevention and Services Program.

Read the full announcement.

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