Figuring out housing as a key driver of well being outcomes, the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth (HUD) and the Division of Well being and Human Providers (HHS) are collaborating beneath a brand new U.S. Playbook to Deal with 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 assist clinically acceptable and evidence-based interventions to assist housing and diet wants for sure Medicaid enrollees, similar to by offering medically tailor-made meals to pregnant and postpartum girls, or serving to people with persistent well being situations who’re experiencing homelessness to search out and acquire housing. Medicaid companies supplied beneath this Framework will complement present HUD applications, together with Housing Alternative Vouchers and homelessness help grants. 

By way of the HHS and HUD Housing and Providers Useful resource Heart (HSRC), HUD will proceed to offer data to states and communities on higher leverage Medicaid to cowl housing-related HRSNs and coordinate these companies with HUD’s applications. 

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 Neighborhood Dwelling and contains the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Providers (CMS), the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers 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 Assets and Providers Administration is also supporting complementary efforts to fund technical help to states to assist the event and implementation of sustainable financing of well being and housing applications.

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

The Accelerator will assist states with Medicaid applications working to develop revolutionary housing-related helps and companies by part 1115 demonstrations for individuals with disabilities and older adults who’re experiencing or susceptible to homelessness. Particularly, the Accelerator will carry collectively interdisciplinary groups from 4 states to deal with widespread points, similar to navigating fee fashions and charges, information integration and sharing, and extra.

“Housing is foundational to well being and lifelong success. In the present day’s Playbook and suite of actions are necessary steps ahead in our efforts to advance well being fairness,” mentioned HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, in a press release. “HUD continues to work with our companions throughout the Administration and the nation to coordinate the housing, healthcare, and supportive companies that allow People to thrive. I encourage HUD grantees and companions to make the most of the Playbook to tell their work and engagement.”