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Health in Housing: Exploring the Intersection between Housing and Health Care

An Effective Practice

Description

The study used Medicaid claims and survey data to examine key health care outcomes for people who moved into one of three common affordable housing types: family housing, permanent supportive housing, or housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

Goal / Mission

To assess the impact of affordable housing on health care outcomes in a low-income population who have experienced housing instability.

Impact

Costs to health care systems were lower after people moved into affordable housing. Primary care visits went up after move-in; emergency department visits went down. Residents reported that access to care and quality of care improved after moving into housing.

Results / Accomplishments

Total health care expenditures were 12% less the year after moving in when compared to the year before, averaging a reduction of nearly $50 PMPM. Overall, care for the 1,625 participants cost $936,000 less after move-in than in the year before. After moving into affordable housing, residents used 20% more primary care and used the ED 18% less than in the year prior to moving in."

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE)
Primary Contact
Maggie Weller
Providence Health & Services
5211 NE Glisan St., Bldg. C
Portland, OR 97213
Maggie.Weller@providence.org
Topics
Health
Economy
Organization(s)
Center for Outcomes Research and Education (CORE)
Date of publication
Feb 2016
Location
Oregon
For more details
Nevada Tomorrow