April 17, 2020 – Nevada County is partnering closely with the City of Grass Valley, Nevada City, Town of Truckee, and community partners to reach individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. These people may not have the same access to hygiene or the ability to self-isolate if they are symptomatic or highly vulnerable to COVID-19.

There are now portable hand washing stations set up outside of Nevada City Hall, outside the bathrooms on Commercial Street, Robinson Plaza, Tinloy Station, Hospitality House, SPIRIT Peer Empowerment Center, and North San Juan Community Center. Five hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed on Wednesday, April 15, at various TART bus stops including on Deerfield Drive/ Hwy-89 and the Transit Center in downtown Truckee. The town of Truckee also received a generous donation of two hand washing stations from Stuart James Construction and Core Construction. These hand washing stations have been placed at Sierra Senior Services and at the TART bus stop at the Gateway complex on Donner Pass Road.

The County’s Homeless Outreach and Medical Engagement (HOME) Team continues outreach to those experiencing homelessness in the community, including distribution of field sanitation kits to unsheltered homeless individuals without access to hand-washing and sanitation resources. The nurse on the HOME Team is specifically addressing individuals who are experiencing symptoms similar to those of COVID-19 to help connect them to medical care and safe isolation facilities as needed. The HOME Team can be reached at (530) 470-2686.

Hospitality House has ramped up their services to provide 24/7 care to our homeless population while ensuring safe and healthy practices through social distancing, self-isolation, and maintaining a symptom-free environment through monitoring health and taking temperatures.

SPIRIT Peer Empowerment Center continues to offer shower, laundry, and other limited services to those experiencing homelessness, while continuing to practice and share best practices around hygiene and physical distancing.

In both Western and Eastern County, Nevada County HHSA has secured various hotel and motel rooms for symptomatic and highly vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. The HOME team and other staff from Hospitality House, FREED, and Behavioral Health are providing case management and food delivery to guests during their stay so they can safely isolate.

In Truckee, the County has increased support for the seasonal Cold Weather Emergency Warming Shelter operated by United for Action. The Truckee Emergency Warming Shelter has now expanded its hours to include drop-in services Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 2PM at the Veterans Hall in Truckee.

Services offered during these drop-in hours include a hot meal, showers, and outreach staff available to provide support.

More Information
For additional information on the statewide Stay-at-Home Order and recommendations to keep you and your family safer, please visit Nevada County’s coronavirus webpage at www.mynevadacounty.com/coronavirus