Housing for Health Permanent Supportive Housing Program

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Housing for Health, a division within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, provided supportive housing to Department of Health Services patients with complex medical and behavioral health issues who were experiencing homelessness. Evaluation compared service use and costs among recipients during the year prior to receiving housing compared to the year following receiving housing.

Goal / Mission

Housing for Health program goals are to improve patients’ health, reduce costs to the public health system, and demonstrate DHS’s commitment to addressing homelessness within Los Angeles County.

Impact

The average public service utilization cost per participant for the year prior to housing totaled $38,146; in the year after receiving housing, it totaled $15,358. When taking into account PSH costs, RAND observed a 20-percent net cost savings, suggesting a potential cost benefit of the program.

Results / Accomplishments

Healthcare utilization was reduced significantly, including ED visits (80%), inpatient stays (61%), and outpatient visits (47%). Participants had significant reductions in all Department of Health Services costs, including inpatient services (76%), emergency services (66%), and crisis stabilization (59%).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Housing for Health
Primary Contact
Sarah B. Hunter
1776 Main St
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
(310) 393-0411, x7244
Sarah_Hunter@rand.org
https://www.rand.org/about/people/h/hunter_sarah_b...
Topics
Economy / Housing & Homes
Health
Organization(s)
Housing for Health
Source
RAND Corporation
Date of publication
2017
Date of implementation
2017
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Los Angeles County
For more details
Target Audience
Adults
Additional Audience
Homeless