As Ohio's summer season begins, difficulties emerge for people experiencing homelessness across the state.
The U.S. National Weather Service released a special weather statement about the possibility of a heat index in high 90s for this week. The statement advised residents to be aware of adjusting to the first hot days of the year with “plenty of water, wear light and loose clothing, and take frequent breaks.”
Morbidity and mortality rates are higher in the winter for people who are unsheltered, so summer supportive structures to manage the heat for those experiencing homelessness are not always prioritized, according to Shannon Isom, president and CEO of the Community Shelter Board.
However, in the summer, visibility increases for those who are unhoused. Many people who lack access to heat management conditions in homes, restaurants or offices often opt to use outdoor public spaces.
“More people will use the land in the summer. It's warmer. It's easier for people to get around,” Isom said. “Maybe someone had a couch or a floor to sleep on during the winter, because someone extended that opportunity out of benevolence. But maybe that's not available when it's warmer. So, we simply see more people outside.”
The Community Shelter Board oversees the operation of nine homeless shelters and nine emergency shelters to ensure around-the-clock housing access. The Columbus City Council voted to approve more than $13 million in funding, which will be funneled into efforts by the Community Shelter Board to combat homelessness.
Part of the funding goes into street outreach teams. Currently, the team is made up of eight workers, but a community as large as Columbus may need upwards of 50 to properly address current needs, Isom said.
“We've all been taught to default to shelter as the most important component. And it is important. But I think our most obligatory component is having people in street outreach who respond with a level of urgency similar to EMTs or emergency responders,” Isom said. “If someone had a medical emergency outside, we've all been trained to call 911. We should have the same sensitivity toward someone losing their housing and living outside.”
During heatwaves, people who misuse substances, have mental and physical disorders and are exposed to the elements are at a significant risk for heat-related illnesses.
Ryan Jefferson, housing outreach supervisor at Mount Carmel, alongside his team, goes out in the community to help feel the needs of people who are experiencing homelessness. The outreach teams help provide food assistance, harm reduction materials, transportation and necessary identification documents for housing.
The heat poses problems for those with medical conditions that require cooler temperatures.
"I know insulin is a big [problem]. We have folks who, especially in the downtown team, that just need a place to store insulin in the summertime, and it becomes tricky to find places that are able to do that,” Jefferson said.
During the summer months, there are regional cooling centers in operation to help people beat the heat. There are five cooling centers in the Columbus area in the following neighborhoods:
- Dodge
- Driving Park
- Glenwood
- Linden
- Marion Franklin
A cooling center is a designated, air-conditioned public facility where any community member, regardless of housing status, can temporarily go to find a break from extreme heat.
The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department defines “extreme heat” as 90 degree or higher temperatures for four days in a row. However, those guidelines are very loose, said Kerry Francis, senior manager of strategic communications for Columbus' Recreation and Parks Department.
Last year, Columbus' cooling centers provided about 240 hours of conditions during extreme heat conditions from June 24 to June 27. Through July 31 of last year, 922 city residents used the cooling services.
“Even if it's just a handful of people that come in, it's more important for us to have this resource available to residents. We're not looking at the financial impact of that or trying to justify numbers. We're here for the community,” Francis said.
This year, nonperishable foods and bottled water will be provided at the cooling centers with donations from Giant Eagle supermarkets.
Cooling centers, when activated, will be open seven days a week from 9 am – 9 pm. Due to staffing and equipment limitations, the shelters will close at the end of the day, however, staff will speak with guests to confirm their overnight plans or housing assistance needs.
"I think it's just important for residents who are unhoused or even residents who don't have air conditioning in their home and just need to get out of that and cool off for a little bit,” Francis said.
As the summer season progresses, temperatures are expected to rise, and mobilization efforts by community organizations will continue to increase in response.
