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 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 help clinically acceptable and evidence-based interventions to help housing and vitamin wants for sure Medicaid enrollees, resembling by offering medically tailor-made meals to pregnant and postpartum girls, or serving to people with power well being situations who’re experiencing homelessness to seek out and procure housing. Medicaid companies offered below this Framework will complement current HUD applications, together with Housing Selection Vouchers and homelessness help grants. 

Via the HHS and HUD Housing and Companies Useful resource Middle (HSRC), HUD will proceed to offer info to states and communities on learn how to 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 Residing and consists of 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 Assets 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 applications.

Earlier this month, HUD and HHS introduced they may 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 applications.

The Accelerator will help states with Medicaid applications working to increase revolutionary housing-related helps and companies via part 1115 demonstrations for folks with disabilities and older adults who’re experiencing or susceptible to homelessness. Particularly, the Accelerator will deliver collectively interdisciplinary groups from 4 states to sort out widespread points, resembling navigating fee fashions and charges, knowledge integration and sharing, and extra.

“Housing is foundational to well being and lifelong success. Right now’s Playbook and suite of actions are vital steps ahead in our efforts to advance well being fairness,” mentioned 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 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.”