The United Health Basis has pledged $five million to support three organizations that enable the homeless and these who are food items insecure for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the $five million, $2.five million will go to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council to support the two the speedy will need for homeless programs as nicely as for a longer period-phrase expanded housing ability.
A different $1.five million is likely to the Feeding The united states network of member food items financial institutions for COVID-19 reaction wants, these types of as buying extra food items to meet up with unexpected boosts in need, supporting new distribution approaches and responding to a unexpected drop in volunteers.
And $1 million will go to Foods on Wheels The united states to support community programs serving vulnerable seniors.
WHY THIS Matters
The COVID-19 pandemic has strained well being methods and exacerbated the wants of the homeless populace.
Food items financial institutions have claimed a forty% maximize in the amount of people today trying to find enable, according to Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding The united states.
Individuals living on the street can do small to shelter in position and, if crowded, homeless shelters can pose a coronavirus possibility.
THE Larger Development
The United Health Basis was set up by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a not-for-revenue non-public basis dedicated to increasing well being and healthcare.
The foundation’s nationwide partnerships with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Feeding The united states and Foods on Wheels The united states are portion of UnitedHealth Group’s earlier declared $50 million initial determination to battle COVID-19 and support impacted populations, which includes healthcare staff, seniors and difficult-hit communities.
UnitedHealth Group commenced an very affordable housing initiative in 2011 by investing extra than $400 million to establish eighty very affordable-housing communities in eighteen states. Far more than four,500 new residences have been made.
UnitedHealthcare has also formed strategic grant partnerships to support food items financial institutions and other community organizations to distribute extra than forty seven million meals considering that 2018.
ON THE Report
“The United Health Foundation’s generosity will further bolster our thirty-year determination to people today suffering from homelessness and the pros doing work at the nexus of well being care and homelessness who serve them for the duration of this COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare for the homeless programs and health-related respite care programs progress our mission to eradicate homelessness by guaranteeing in depth well being care and safe housing for everybody,” said Bobby Watts, main executive officer, National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
“People today suffering from homelessness and food items insecurity are among the most vulnerable populations and the COVID-19 unexpected emergency has only compounded the hazards they face each day,” said Heather Cianfrocco, United Health Basis board member and main executive officer of UnitedHealthcare Community & Point out.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
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