The Shelter Providers Consortium conducted a survey among its members to gauge shelters’ operational responses to Covid-19. The survey asked questions about shelter capacity before and after Covid, as well as the average number of individuals served in the three Quarters leading up to March and the second Quarter of 2019. The survey received 20 responses, though one was filled out incorrectly and could not be used, for a roughly 30% response rate. Shelter categories were divided into families (10), singles (9), domestic violence victims (3), and unattended youth (1). (Some shelters serve multiple populations and may be included in multiple categories).
All categories of shelters experienced declines in capacity after Covid-19 hit. The family shelters that responded had a family capacity of 216 before the pandemic and 174 after, a decrease of 19%. Family shelters’ individual capacity declined from 811 to 452 after, or 44%. Singles shelters’ capacity declined from 364 to 272, or 25%. Domestic violence shelters’ capacity declined from 74 to 57, or 23%. The unattended youth shelter reported a decline from 207 to 187, or 10%.
Shelters in all categories also experienced significant declines in individuals served from the three Quarters leading up to March and the second Quarter of 2020 (April-June). Family shelters served a total of 671 individuals on average for 2019 Q3-Q4 and 2020 Q1, and 425 individuals in 2020 Q2, or a 37% decrease. For singles shelters, the population served decreased from 1076 to 459 individuals, or 57%. For domestic violence shelters, individuals served decreased from 106 to 75, or 29%. For the unattended minor shelter, individuals served decreased from 330 to 234, or 29%.
For each category, significant percentages of shelters expect to reduce capacity. For family shelters, 50% expected reductions. For singles shelters, it was 71%. For domestic violence shelters, 33% expected reductions, and the one unattended minor shelter expected reductions.
Raw Data:
Families (9 organizations reporting, plus 1 more with partial results):
Total Capacity (# Families) per/night pre: Covid: 216 Families (dependent on family size)
Total Capacity (# Individuals) Pre-Covid: Over 811 Families
Total Capacity (# Families) Post-Covid: Up to 174 Families (depending on family size)
Total Capacity (Total # Individuals) Post-Covid: 452 Families
Total # Families Served on Average Per Quarter in the three Quarters Leading up to March 2020: 295 Families
Total # Families Served 2nd Quarter of 2020: 237 Families
Total # Individuals Served on Average in the Three Quarters Leading up to March 2020: 671 Families
Total # Individuals Served 2nd Quarter of 2020: 425 Families
In response to the question, do you expect to reduce capacity (a/o September 2020), 50% of respondents said yes
Singles (9 organizations reporting):
Total Capacity Pre-Covid: 364 Individuals
Total Capacity Post-Covid: 272 Individuals
Percent Decrease in Capacity: 25%
Total # Individuals Served on Average in the Three Quarters Leading up to March 2020: 1076 Individuals
Total # Individuals Served 2nd Quarter of 2020: 459 Individuals
In response to the question, do you expect to reduce capacity (a/o September 2020), 71% of respondents said yes
Domestic Violence (3 organizations reporting):
Total Capacity Pre-Covid: 74 Individuals
Total Capacity Post-Covid: 57 Individuals
Reduction in Capacity: 23%
Total # Individuals Served on Average in the Three Quarters Leading up to March 2020: 106 Individuals
Total # Individuals Served 2nd Quarter of 2020: 75 Individuals
In response to the question, do you expect to reduce capacity (a/o September 2020), 33% of respondents said yes
Unattended Youth (only 1 organization reporting):
Total Capacity Pre-Covid: 207 Individuals
Total Capacity Post-Covid: 187 Individuals
Reduction in Capacity: 10%
Total # Individuals Served on Average in the Three Quarters Leading up to March 2020: 330 Individuals
Total # Individuals Served 2nd Quarter of 2020: 234 Individuals
In response to the question, do you expect to reduce capacity (a/o September 2020), 100% of respondents said yes