Several hotels across Jacksonville being used to isolate homeless from COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Some hotel rooms across Jacksonville are being used to isolate people who tested positive for COVID-19, or have existing health conditions but have nowhere else to go.

Changing Homelessness is giving the local homeless population a roof over their heads.

“You should definitely do what it takes to help someone in need,” Jacksonville neighbor Jacob Crowder said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the nonprofit has received about $11 million in funding: $3 million from a separate grant and another $8 million from the CARES Act funding, given to them by the city and state.

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“Hotel rooms are one of the most expensive ways for us to spend the money,” said Dawn Gilman, CEO of Changing Homelessness. “A week in a hotel is anywhere from $350-400 a week.”

The difficulties arise from the large number of people staying in the hotel rooms. Gilman said roughly 300 people are isolated in several hotel rooms across Jacksonville, and that’s on top of existing programs.

“We are giving them essentially a space like any of us would for a family member that came down positive,” Gilman said. “They need a place to rest because some people feel fine, some people do not.”

Gilman says the money is split 50/50 between workers and necessities such as hotel vouchers, rental assistance, rehousing and community outreach.

Much like hospitals, they’re running low on supplies, saying the need is greater now than ever.

Crowder says this is what’s needed for a better society.

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“If somebody is in need or homeless or in dire straits, I don’t know, it’s just my opinion, but you should always be there to support others that are trying to get somewhere in life,” Crowder said.

Gilman said they probably won’t receive funding like this again, adding that just because someone doesn’t have housing, doesn’t mean they don’t have privacy.

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