Coordination within Continuum of Care Homelessness Assistance

Health Care for the Homeless, Inc. (HCH) was awarded a FY2010 HOPWA permanent supportive housing renewal grant of $1,265,112 to continue providing permanent housing assistance to medically fragile, multiply diagnosed, HIV+ homeless individuals. The project provides five units of facility-based housing and three households will continue receiving Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). Supportive services are provided to 60 households annually. The project is a collaborative partnership with Project PLASE and the Baltimore City Department of Social Services. (6/29/10 HUD News Release)

Background

Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) was established in Baltimore in 1985 as one of 19 demonstration projects for the National Health Care for the Homeless Program initiated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trust and the US Conference of Mayors. It began by providing primary medical care to the homeless in two locations in downtown Baltimore. By the late-1980s they had expanded services to include other services such as social work services and educational programs. They continued to grow and increase their partnerships with other area groups from universities to other local non-governmental organizations to enhance their services. In the 1990s HCH begins to provide outpatient mental and substance abuse treatment. In 2000 they received a competitive HOPWA grant to administer the “Connect Project" which offers intensive case management to people living with HIV/AIDS. They were renewed in 2007 and again in 2010.

In 2010 through funds from public and private sources HCH opened a new facility in downtown Baltimore that will serve as a base for all their activities. It triples the size of their current facility and amplifies their ability to serve Baltimore's low-income populations. It will host a dental facility, a pediatric clinic, vision screening, as well as a pharmacy. Today HCH is Maryland's leading provider of comprehensive health-related services for adults and children experiencing homelessness. They serve 12,000 individuals throughout the state of Maryland with a wide variety of services.

The Connect Project by the numbers:

• 60 clients served over 3 years
• 13 new clients in 2007-2008
• 6 of these clients moved into their own apartments or rooms
• 90% of individuals were stable with TBRA
• 79% of individuals were stable in Transitional/Short term Units
• 87% disbursed by June 30 2010 = Timely disbursement of funds
• 95% of funds go to client care

Innovation through Collaboration

By partnering with state and local organizations HCH is able to provide wrap around services for their clients:

• In 2009 HCH began a partnership with Chase Brexton Health Services, Inc. and the University of Maryland Dental School to provide dental care out of their clinic. This partnership culminated in HCH operating the first comprehensive dental care program addressing the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Baltimore.


• The Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) funded a joint venture between HCH and local government systems to target over 100 difficult to serve individuals with dual diagnoses.


• In conjunction with local shelters, United Way of Maryland, and the Baltimore Homeless Services, HCH provides 24 hour convalescent care to those who need care but are not ill enough for hospitalization.


• Using state funding HCH and the local government entered into collaboration to house 90 individuals recently released from federal prison.


• Using federal Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program funds, HCH and the city will rapidly re-house 100 individuals living in shelters or on the streets.

HUD's World AIDS Day Commemoration Event December 1st, 2010 at HUD Headquarters

Webcast:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/press/multimedia/videos

	Jeff Singer at HUD's World AIDS Day Commemoration Event HUD Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Web file: 72 DPI, 9 KB, 240 x 256 pixels Print file: 300 DPI, 472 KB, 4.7 x 5 inches
	Matthew Walinski at HUD's World AIDS Day Commemoration Event HUD Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Web file: 72 DPI, 14 KB, 240 x 189 pixels Print file: 300 DPI, 980 KB, 5 x 4 inches
	David Vos, Jeff Singer, Mercedes M. Márquez and Matthew Walinski at HUD's World AIDS Day Commemoration Event HUD Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Web file: 72 DPI, 12 KB, 240 x 184 pixels Print file: 300 DPI, 979 KB, 5 x 4 inches