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THRIVE FROM THE START

Every infant and toddler deserves a safe, stable, and nurturing start in life. That’s why Housing Is has joined forces with  Prevent Child Abuse America, SchoolHouse Connection, and ZERO TO THREE to launch Thrive From The Start—a cross-sector effort dedicated to addressing homelessness among infants, toddlers, and expectant parents. Visit thrivefromthestart.org to learn more and explore how you can be a part of the solution. 

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Housing Is Working Group 2024-2025 Calendar

Join the Housing Is Working Group to discuss special topics related to cross-sector initiatives and programmatic considerations particularly focused on the intersections of housing, health, and education.

This year’s public webinars cover topics such as child welfare and housing, leveraging Medicaid resources for housing services, out-of-school time, and digital connectivity in a post-ACP world. 

View Calendar
 
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Research
Community:
Aug 1, 2018
Homelessness among children is correlated with developmental delays, fair or poor health, and high healthcare utilization. Associations of homelessness specifically among infants younger than 12 months, however, are unknown. This study evaluates homelessness during infancy as a risk for adverse infant and maternal health and hardship.

Authored by:
Topics: Child welfare, Depression, Disabilities, Dual-generation, Early childhood, Education, Family engagement, Food insecurity, Grade-level proficiency, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Metrics, Partnerships, Pre-natal, Research, School-readiness, Youth
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 1, 2018
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Research
Community:
Aug 1, 2018
This study draws on qualitative interview data to examine transitions into rent-assisted housing as they relate to diabetes self-management behaviors.

Authored by:
Topics: East Coast, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Mental health, Metrics, Nutrition, Research, Stability
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 1, 2018
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Research
Community:
Aug 1, 2018
Although affordable housing holds great potential for improving the health of its residents, the optimal way to incorporate health into the affordable housing planning and design process remains unknown. Working with five community development corporations (CDCs), we performed a pilot study of their approach to developing Health Action Plans, a structured process that formalizes collaboration between CDCs and public health professionals.

Authored by:
Topics: Depression, Green, Health, Housing, Low-income, Partnerships, Research
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 1, 2018
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Research
Community:
Aug 1, 2018
We sought to learn more about how state- and locally funded rental assistance programs were created, how they are structured, whom they serve, and how they are funded.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Data sharing, Disabilities, Family engagement, Funding, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Partnerships, Research, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 1, 2018
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Research
Community:
Aug 1, 2018
The Support and Services at Home (SASH) program in Vermont aims to coordinate care and assist participants in accessing the health care and support services they need to maintain their health and age comfortably and safely in their homes. Most program participants are residents of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-assisted properties or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. Our objective is to estimate the impact of the first 5 1/2 years of the SASH program on the Medicare expenditures of these participants.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Dual-eligibles, East Coast, Health, Home visiting, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Metrics, Seniors
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 1, 2018

The Impact of the Vermont Support and Services at Home Program on Healthcare Expenditures

Research
Aug 1, 2018
The Support and Services at Home (SASH) program in Vermont aims to coordinate care and assist participants in accessing the health care and support services they need to maintain their health and age comfortably and safely in their homes. Most program participants are residents of U.S.
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Publication
Community:
Jul 27, 2018
Anthem’s affiliated health plans and other managed care organizations (MCOs) increasingly are helping Medicaid members who are diagnosed with mental health conditions and substance use disorders (MH/SUD) find stable housing, secure meaningful employment, and address a range of financial and daily life challenges.

Authored by:
Topics: Affordable Care Act, Cost effectiveness, Depression, Funding, Health, Housing, Medicaid / Medicare, Mental health, Nutrition, Substance abuse, Supportive housing, Workforce development
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 27, 2018

Medicaid Managed Care for Members with mental Health Conditions and/or Substance Use Disorders: Connecting Members to Social Supports

Publication
Jul 27, 2018
Anthem’s affiliated health plans and other managed care organizations (MCOs) increasingly are helping Medicaid members who are diagnosed with mental health conditions and substance use disorders (MH/SUD) find stable housing, secure meaningful employment, and address a range of financial and daily li
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Publication
Community:
Jul 27, 2018

Authored by:
Topics: Asthma, East Coast, Health, Healthy homes, Housing, Low-income, Partnerships, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 27, 2018
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Publication
Community:
Jul 27, 2018
On January 1, 2014, in states that have chosen to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all chronically homeless people who lacked health insurance became eligible for Medicaid. This Primer offers state Medicaid officials and other interested parties strategies for using Medicaid to meet the needs of this very vulnerable population--some strategies that have succeeded in the past and some that are emerging under provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

Authored by:
Topics: Affordable Care Act, Criminal justice, Disabilities, Dual-eligibles, Funding, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Mental health, Partnerships, Stability, Substance abuse, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 27, 2018

A Primer on Using Medicaid for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness and Tenants in Permanent Supportive Housing

Publication
Jul 27, 2018
On January 1, 2014, in states that have chosen to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act, nearly all chronically homeless people who lacked health insurance became eligible for Medicaid.
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News Article
Community:
Jul 27, 2018
Health promotion interventions in public housing communities have the potential to reduce obesity among residents, a new study shows. Changes in their environment, such as fresh food trucks, walking groups, screenings, and cooking demos, helped Boston residents eat better and get more exercise.

Authored by: University of Washington School of Medicine
Topics: East Coast, Exercise, Food insecurity, Health, Housing, Low-income, Nutrition, Obesity, Research
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 27, 2018

Study Tests Healthy Living Strategies in Public Housing

News Article
Jul 27, 2018
University of Washington School of Medicine
Health promotion interventions in public housing communities have the potential to reduce obesity among residents, a new study shows. Changes in their environment, such as fresh food trucks, walking groups, screenings, and cooking demos, helped Boston residents eat better and get more exercise.
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Publication
Community:
Jan 1, 2018
SAHF members believe that connecting residents of affordable housing with needed supports – such as educational resources or health services – can help vulnerable families and seniors achieve a better quality of life. SAHF began the Outcomes Initiative to create a common framework for its members to demonstrate with data the impact on residents of providing housing-based services and support in the five key areas listed below.

Authored by: Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF)
Topics: Asset building, Cost effectiveness, Dual-generation, Education, Exercise, Food insecurity, Health, Housing, Mental health, Metrics, Nutrition, Safety, Stability
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 26, 2018
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Report
Community:
Jul 24, 2018
The Affordable Housing Task Force began with an assumption that there was a compelling need to address the changing landscape of housing affordability in Pittsburgh. Through research, discussion, and community and stakeholder engagement, the Task Force has arrived at recommendations that respond to both the assumption and the realities of affordable housing in the city.

Authored by:
Topics: Community development, Funding, Housing, Low-income, Partnerships, Seniors
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 24, 2018
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Research
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
Supportive housing programs are proposed as a way of increasing housing access and stability for the chronically homeless, improving access to needed services, and decreasing vulnerability to HIV and other diseases. Little is known about residents’ understandings of and experiences with different models of supportive housing and how they fit within residents’ broader strategies to maintain housing. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 residents and 10 service providers from nine different supportive housing programs in Hartford, Connecticut. Data analysis explored residents’ perceptions of and experiences with supportive housing programs in the context of strategies to access resources and receive emotional, financial, and other forms of support.

Authored by:
Topics: East Coast, Homelessness, Housing, Mental health, Place-based, Research, Substance abuse, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018
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Research
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
The first two brief sections set the policy context for the ongoing housing policy debate on the social benefits of housing. Next is a five-section critical review of the last roughly quarter century of housing policy research. This is followed by a discussion of outstanding measurement issues before the concluding section.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Health, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Research, Safety
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018
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Publication
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
Part of New York State’s Homelessness Action Plan includes an investment of new supportive housing resources and services over the next five years to address vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness. Therefore, the availability of and access to various support services such as employment and training opportunities, parenting, counseling, independent living skills training, primary healthcare, substance disorder treatment and mental health care, child care, and benefits advocacy are critical components of any project funded under this plan.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Criminal justice, Disabilities, Domestic violence, Foster care, Funding, Homelessness, Housing, Medicaid / Medicare, Mental health, Substance abuse, Supportive housing, Youth
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018

Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative: Inter-Agency Service and Operating Funding Opportunity Request for Proposals (2016)

Publication
Jul 23, 2018
Part of New York State’s Homelessness Action Plan includes an investment of new supportive housing resources and services over the next five years to address vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness.
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Case study
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
Time and again, taking a narrow view of health care has proven ineffective in producing meaningful change. Yet the current thrust of health care reform remains firmly focused on traditional health care services. Reforms such as care coordination models and patient centered medical homes are necessary but insufficient for homeless populations with complex problems. Pairing such reforms with supportive housing is more likely to result in lasting health improvements and reduced costs.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, East Coast, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Medicaid / Medicare, Place-based, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018
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Research
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
In this article, we explore current law concerning residential smoking regulations and consider whether the implementation of a nationwide ban on smoking in public housing would be desirable.

Authored by:
Topics: Health, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Smoke-free
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
Public Housing Primary Care (PHPC) health centers have an integrated approach to delivering primary health care, health promotion, and disease prevention. PHPC health centers work closely with public housing authorities to address the health and wellness needs of the diverse residents.

Authored by:
Topics: Funding, Health, Housing, Low-income, Mental health, Partnerships, Place-based
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018
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Research
Community:
Jul 23, 2018
The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment offered randomly selected families living in highpoverty housing projects housing vouchers to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods. We present new evidence on the impacts of MTO on children’s long-term outcomes using administrative data from tax returns. We find that moving to a lower-poverty neighborhood significantly improves college attendance rates and earnings for children who were young (below age 13) when their families moved. These children also live in better neighborhoods themselves as adults and are less likely to become single parents. The treatment effects are substantial: children whose families take up an experimental voucher to move to a lower-poverty area when they are less than 13 years old have an annual income that is $3,477 (31%) higher on average relative to a mean of $11,270 in the control group in their mid-twenties

Authored by:
Topics: Child welfare, Cost effectiveness, Dual-generation, Education, Housing, Low-income, Mobility, Research
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 23, 2018

The Effects of Exposure to Better Neighborhoods on Children: New Evidence from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment

Research
Jul 23, 2018
The Moving to Opportunity (MTO) experiment offered randomly selected families living in highpoverty housing projects housing vouchers to move to lower-poverty neighborhoods. We present new evidence on the impacts of MTO on children’s long-term outcomes using administrative data from tax returns.
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Interactive
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
Kaiser Permanente NW Community Benefit intends to award at least $1.5 million in community grants to support organizations that help people with behavioral health challenges to secure and maintain safe, stable housing. A minimum of five grants of up to $325,000 will be awarded for projects lasting 3 ½ years. Projects must include the involvement of peers or community health workers (CHWs) and must involve collaboration between housing providers, health care providers (including behavioral health service providers) and those community organizations employing peers or CHWs.

Authored by:
Topics: Funding, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Mental health, Pacific Northwest, Partnerships, Place-based, Preventative care, Substance abuse
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018

Housing for Health Grant Initiative: Supported Housing for Individuals with Behavioral Health Challenges using Peer Supports

Interactive
Jul 20, 2018
Kaiser Permanente NW Community Benefit intends to award at least $1.5 million in community grants to support organizations that help people with behavioral health challenges to secure and maintain safe, stable housing.
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Research
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
The need for more affordable rental housing is urgent. The record number of renters paying more than half their incomes for housing underscores the growing gap between market-rate costs and the rents that millions of households can afford. Governments at all levels must redouble their efforts to expand the affordable supply. And with growing recognition that children’s lifelong achievement rests on stable, safe, and healthy living conditions, policymakers must also ensure better access of minority and low-income households to higher opportunity communities.

Authored by:
Topics: Asset building, Housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018
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Report
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
This issue brief outlines ways in which Medicaid can support integrated strategies and, based on telephone interviews with key informants, profiles three current initiatives that illustrate distinctly different approaches to linking Medicaid and supportive housing. The three initiatives include one launched by a city (Philadelphia), one by a state (Louisiana), and one by a Medicaid MCO (Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care in Phoenix, Arizona). They target special populations including homeless individuals, people with a wide range of disabilities, and adults with mental health and/or substance use problems.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018
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Report
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
This report catalogues and describes the MTW innovations that participating PHAs and the study team consider most important and far-reaching in their effect on residents, the agency, and the local community. The report is largely descriptive and does not attempt to measure the results of the innovations undertaken by MTW PHAs. However, it does classify the innovations, discuss their significance, and explain how they make use of the flexibility afforded by MTW.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Funding, Housing, Mobility, MTW
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
This report examines several ways in which health care changes created by the ACA, and other health care reform initiatives, create the potential for affordable housing providers to collaborate with health care providers, insurers, and other institutions to support the wellbeing of low-income individuals and families.

Authored by:
Topics: Affordable Care Act, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Partnerships
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018

Affordable Housing's Place in Health Care: Opportunities Created by the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Reform

Policy Brief
Jul 20, 2018
This report examines several ways in which health care changes created by the ACA, and other health care reform initiatives, create the potential for affordable housing providers to collaborate with health care providers, insurers, and other institutions to support the wellbeing of low-income indiv
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Research
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
The objective of this systematic review is to inform program and policy development and future research by examining the available empirical evidence on the effects of housing status on health-related outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Authored by:
Topics: Health, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Stability
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018

The Effects of Housing Status on Health-Related Outcomes in People living with HIV: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Research
Jul 20, 2018
The objective of this systematic review is to inform program and policy development and future research by examining the available empirical evidence on the effects of housing status on health-related outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS.
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Research
Community:
Jul 20, 2018
Despite the fact that people invest more financial, temporal, and psychological resources in their homes than in any other material entity, research on housing and mental health is remarkably underdeveloped. We critically review existing research on housing and mental health, considering housing type (e.g., singlefamily detached versus multiple dwelling), floor level, and housing quality (e.g., structural damage). We then discuss methodological and conceptual shortcomings of this literature and provide a theoretical framework for future research on housing quality and mental health.

Authored by:
Topics: Depression, Health, Housing, Mental health, Research
Shared by Housing Is on Jul 20, 2018