Managing a caseload of seven is no easy feat. Then comes along a global pandemic.
The COVID-19 Frontline: Working to house vulnerable populations during a pandemic
Essential frontline workers continue their efforts to safeguard the wellbeing of homeless Edmontonians during the COVID-19 outbreak. This story is part of an ongoing series showcasing how these dedicated individuals are continuing to support our community’s most vulnerable on their journey toward a permanent home.
Managing a caseload of seven people who are in need of permanent homes is no easy feat. Then comes along a global pandemic.
Meet Thomas Kang, Housing Outreach Worker with Edmonton’s Bissell Centre.
Thomas, who recently transitioned into this new role after five months, admits there have been highs and lows finding housing for his clients. Today he’s optimistic after some good news for a client has come in regarding a vacancy for an apartment. Bob*, a 52-year-old military veteran, had been sleeping rough for the last four years after being laid off from his job in the oil industry.
Bob had connected with Thomas initially through the housing supports services available at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, which opened in response to COVID-19 and operates a temporary one-stop shop of centralized services, including housing supports offered by the region’s homeless-serving agencies.
“He’s in a rooming house currently, and just having that roof over his head has made a big difference. This afternoon, he and I are going to go take a look at an apartment. He’s been approved already—he just needs to see the place for himself,” says Thomas enthusiastically.
In Edmonton, people experiencing homelessness like Bob are housed based on principles of “Housing First”—that is, people are moved into stable housing as quickly as possible and are provided with supports that they need to avoid a return to homelessness. Bissell Centre is one of 16 agencies in Edmonton to deliver these housing supports.
What makes this so special is that Bob is Thomas’ first client since becoming a Housing Outreach Worker.
The good news, however, is tempered by the reality faced by so many frontline workers: to comply with Alberta Health Services’ pandemic-related recommendations, many homeless-serving agencies have temporarily closed their brick-and-mortar sites.
“It’s been difficult. Typically, I could easily connect with folks coming into Bissell’s Community Space, Hope Mission, or the Mustard Seed,” explains Thomas. “Without that option, it’s harder to locate folks sleeping rough outside.”
He has dealt with this added barrier by spending time at the EXPO Centre in addition to working from home. Many housing workers like Thomas are successfully using remote or virtual measures to house people.
“My job involves connecting with folks outside.” He pauses thoughtfully, then adds, “I need to get out there and meet my clients and participants needing housing.”
To remove any communication barriers, housing support participants are equipped with pre-paid phones. This allows better client communications while still respecting social distancing guidelines by minimizing the in-person interactions. And it works, since Bob was one of the individuals who received a phone. The details matter, and in this instance, a small piece of technology allowed worker and client to stay in touch.
“He’s been using the phone and has been super responsive,” concludes Thomas. “We’ve been communicating daily.”
*Name has been changed to protect the identity of our participants.
