Homelessness, including during a crisis, and irrespective of nationality or legal status, is a prima facie violation of human rights. The core protections provided by the right to housing, as well as the right to health and the right to food, are so fundamental to human dignity and the preservation of life that they can never be suspended, even in a state of emergency. In this context, States must address the housing needs of homeless people on an urgent and priority basis to ensure their equal protection against the virus and the protection of the broader population.

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