Coronavirus: Vacant Spaces Become Shelters for the Homeless

With 1.8 billion homeless people across the globe, staying home during the coronavirus pandemic proves difficult for many. In response, officials are repurposing as many vacant spaces as possible to provide shelter to the needy amid the outbreak.

From the U.S and Canada to the U.K. and Italy, disused buildings and vacant spaces – such as motels, former hospitals, cottages and halls, to name a few – are being transformed to makeshift homes for the homeless.

“Housing, not handcuffs or forced congregate sheltering, for those experiencing homelessness, is the way to best ensure we all remain safer,” says Eric Tars of the U.S. National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty in a statement.

But the homeless are not the only population city officials are scouring spaces for: hotels and homeowners are also opening their doors for healthcare staff. For example, Accor – Europe’s largest hotel group – is offering up to 2,000 beds for the homeless while additionally extending housing to medical staff.  And Airbnb has presented opportunities in Italy and France to connect doctors and nurses with hosts, offering homeowners 10 euros a night and covering up to two months’ worth of cleaning fees.