Staying home is a public health mandate but poses significant challenges for many.
Roughly half of ehm’s residents are 50 years of age or older and many live with health issues that place them at high-risk during the pandemic. This makes sheltering in place and avoiding public spaces such as grocery stores and pharmacies critical to maintaining health.
At the same time, many residents also have limited financial resources. Luxuries that facilitate sheltering in place such as deliveries of food and supplies as well as phones and data plans to stay informed and connected are hard to afford when living with limited income.
ehm has been delivering meals to residents five days a week, in addition to providing an emergency pantry. We have provided phones to residents who could not afford them. Residents have also been delivered care kits to help them weather the pandemic. Staff are assisting tenants to access community resources, understand public health directives, and maintain a sense of connection and hope through this unsettling time.