The impact of COVID-19 on health care and justice services to homeless persons with concurrent disorders: A pilot study in the city of Victoria, BC

Dr. Young was granted Internal Grant for Research funds for a research project that studies the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homeless persons relating to health care and justice services.

The research examines the impact of COVID-19 virus on the delivery of health and police services to homeless persons with concurrent disorders (HPCD). Social isolation practices, transformation of service delivery, and the resulting gaps in services resulting from the virus have further marginalized a disadvantage population. The impact of the virus on HPCD and gaps in services will be examined using mixed methods. A quantitative instrument will be developed for this project, and interviews with health care service providers and police will be conducted to capture their experiences. The results from this pilot will be used to inform the development of a larger project to be conducted in major urban centres in BC, which will inform policy development for future service delivery in the province.