Housing instability is a known social determinant of health. Poor housing situations often exacerbate poor health, and often the reverse is also true.
According to uniform billing data analyzed by the Center for Health Analytics, Research & Transformation, in 2017 there were nearly 25,000 patients identified as homeless who were treated and released from New Jersey’s emergency departments without needing to be admitted for more advanced care, accounting for $13.5 million in healthcare costs.
Supportive housing programs for chronically homeless residents recognize that permanent housing with wraparound support services, such as primary care, counseling, job training, case management and life skills assistance, has been proven to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.
In a first-of-its-kind pilot program, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency has partnered with NJHA to connect hospitals and health systems interested in creating supportive housing with funding avenues. Participating hospitals are required to develop multifamily supportive housing either on or near the hospital’s campus in order to receive matching funds up to $3 million per project from NJHMFA. These developments would then set aside a certain number of units specifically for vulnerable community members who frequent the emergency department.
The Corporation for Supportive Housing, engaged by NJHA to help its members through the process, has developed resources to support and connect hospitals to experts already engaged in supportive housing initiatives.
Resources Include:
