Burbank installs portable toilets to help homeless during coronavirus outbreak
With public buildings closed until further notice as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Burbank officials have placed two portable toilets and a hand-washing station in the city’s downtown area to help the homeless population protect themselves during the outbreak.
The two toilets, with one being ADA accessible, and the hand-washing station were placed near the city’s community services building at 150 N. Third St. last week after the City Council moved to close all public buildings to help slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
As of Monday, Burbank has two confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.
Simone McFarland, a city spokeswoman, said in an email the toilets will remain in place until further notice.
Streetplus, the company used by the Downtown Burbank Property and Business Improvement District for its ambassador program, will monitor the use of the portable facilities.
Burbank’s homeless population will also still be able to use city park restrooms for hygiene purposes, according to Patrick Prescott, the city’s community development director.
During a City Council meeting last Tuesday, Prescott said park bathrooms will remain open and are maintained and cleaned twice a day by city staff.
In addition to providing restrooms facilities, the city was also able to work with Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission in Pacoima to extend the operation of its winter shelter throughSeptember, according to McFarland.
Anyone who wants to go to the shelter can take a free shuttle from the downtown Burbank Metrolink Station.
McFarland said Streetplus ambassadors will continue to conduct outreach with the city’s homeless population to help them remain safe during the outbreak and get in touch with the shelter if they so desire.
The city’s effort comes as municipalities across California grapple with how to help the roughly 150,000 homeless people in the state — about 286 of whom live in Burbank.
An estimated 60,000 homeless people are believed to be at risk of becoming infected with the coronavirus, with 20% of them needing to be hospitalized, according to the Los Angeles Times.
To help slow the spread of the outbreak, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered local governments to convert hundreds of facilities, including recreation centers and hotels, into temporary, emergency housing for the homeless.
Newsom also announced $150 million in emergency funding to be used toward housing the state’s homeless population.
Last Friday, Los Angeles began work on transitioning 42 of its recreation centers into homeless shelters.
