Housing as Healthcare: Why Health Plans Must Invest in Stability
for years, healthcare has focused on treating illness.But what if preventing illness was more cost-effective – and humane? Increasingly, the answer lies in addressing a essential need: housing.As a Senior Housing Specialist at Cityblock Health, I see firsthand how critical stable housing is to overall well-being, and why health plans can no longer afford to ignore it.
The Rising Cost of Homelessness
The numbers are stark. Over 770,000 people experienced homelessness in 2024, an 18% increase from the previous year (according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development). This isn’t just a social crisis; it’s a healthcare cost driver. When individuals lose their homes, their health rapidly deteriorates, leading to increased reliance on expensive emergency services.
The Evidence is Clear: Housing Improves Health & lowers Costs
Numerous studies demonstrate a direct link between housing stability and improved health outcomes. Here’s what the data shows:
* Reduced ER Visits & Hospitalizations: Supportive housing initiatives consistently lead to fewer emergency room visits and inpatient stays.
* Lower Healthcare Expenditures: Analyses, like a recent one in Pennsylvania, reveal important declines in monthly Medicaid costs when individuals are securely housed.
* Improved Overall Health: Stable housing allows individuals to focus on managing chronic conditions, accessing preventative care, and adhering to treatment plans.
These aren’t isolated findings. Research consistently confirms that investing in housing is a powerful way to bend the healthcare cost curve.
Why This Matters to Health Plans
If you’re a health plan leader focused on value-based care,housing stability is one of the most impactful levers available. It’s a direct intervention that addresses social determinants of health – the non-medical factors that significantly influence health outcomes.
Think of it this way: you can continue to pay for the consequences of housing instability (ER visits, hospitalizations), or you can invest in preventing those consequences in the first place.
A Path Forward: Integrating Housing into Care
So, what can health plans do? Here are key steps to take:
- Assess Housing Risk: Integrate housing stability into your member assessments. Identify individuals at risk of homelessness or housing insecurity.
- Bridge Practical Gaps: Expand supports that address immediate housing needs. This could include rental assistance, security deposit support, or help navigating the housing submission process.
- Partner with Community Experts: Collaborate with local organizations that specialize in housing and social services. These partners have established trust and deep knowledge of community resources.
- Treat Housing as a Core Health Driver: stop viewing housing as an afterthought.Recognize it as essential to health, just like food security or transportation.
A New Perspective on Health
We need a paradigm shift. Housing isn’t simply a “social service” issue; it’s a healthcare imperative. By prioritizing housing stability, health plans can improve member health, reduce costs, and advance health equity. It’s time to recognize that a stable home is often the foundation for a healthier life.
About the author:
Victoria Adinkra is a Senior Housing Specialist at Cityblock Health, leading innovative housing navigation and stabilization efforts across Massachusetts. With a background in public health and community partnerships, she focuses on the intersection of health equity, housing access, and culturally responsive care. Victoria is also pursuing her MBA in Healthcare Administration at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management, designing systems to improve outcomes for historically marginalized communities.
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