HUD, HHS Collaborate to Tackle Housing as Driver of Well being Outcomes

Figuring out housing as a key driver of well being outcomes, the U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement (HUD) and the Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) are collaborating below a brand new U.S. Playbook to Tackle Social Determinants of Well being. 

HHS has additionally introduced a brand new Medicaid and CHIP Well being-Associated Social Wants (HRSNs) Framework to assist states help clinically applicable and evidence-based interventions to help housing and vitamin wants for sure Medicaid enrollees, equivalent to by offering medically tailor-made meals to pregnant and postpartum ladies, or serving to people with continual well being circumstances who’re experiencing homelessness to search out and procure housing. Medicaid providers offered below this Framework will complement present HUD packages, together with Housing Selection Vouchers and homelessness help grants. 

By means of the HHS and HUD Housing and Companies Useful resource Middle (HSRC), HUD will proceed to offer info to states and communities on the way to higher leverage Medicaid to cowl housing-related HRSNs and coordinate these providers with HUD’s packages. 

The HSRC is operated in partnership by HHS, HUD and the U.S. Division of Agriculture. Inside HHS, the partnership is led by the Administration for Group Residing and contains the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS), the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies Administration (SAMHSA), the Administration for Youngsters and Households, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, and the Workplace of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Analysis (ASPE). The Well being Sources and Companies Administration is also supporting complementary efforts to fund technical help to states to help the event and implementation of sustainable financing of well being and housing packages.

Earlier this month, HUD and HHS introduced they’ll choose as much as 4 states to obtain federal technical help via the Housing and Companies Partnerships Accelerator to assist implement Medicaid housing-related HRSNs in coordination with HUD and state and native housing packages.

The Accelerator will help states with Medicaid packages working to develop revolutionary housing-related helps and providers via part 1115 demonstrations for individuals with disabilities and older adults who’re experiencing or prone to homelessness. Specifically, the Accelerator will deliver collectively interdisciplinary groups from 4 states to deal with widespread points, equivalent to navigating cost fashions and charges, information integration and sharing, and extra.

“Housing is foundational to well being and lifelong success. As we speak’s Playbook and suite of actions are vital steps ahead in our efforts to advance well being fairness,” stated HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, in an announcement. “HUD continues to work with our companions throughout the Administration and the nation to coordinate the housing, healthcare, and supportive providers that allow Individuals to thrive. I encourage HUD grantees and companions to make the most of the Playbook to tell their work and engagement.”