Long-term Cost Effectiveness of Placing Homeless Seniors in Permanent Supportive Housing
An Effective Practice
Description
A study examining the long-term cost-effectiveness of placing homeless seniors in a Housing First program. Data from 1 year prior to move-in was compared with data from the 7 years subsequent to moving into a new supportive housing facility.
Goal / Mission
To describe a new model of enriched supportive housing that not only improves the quality of life of seniors but also can provide a return on investment that reduces health care expenditures.
Impact
Housing chronically homeless adults reduces homelessness, improves health outcomes, and reduces health care costs. The greatest reduction in health care costs after placement in supportive housing is seen among chronically homeless adults and seniors.
Results / Accomplishments
For the 51 seniors placed in permanent supportive housing, there was a $1.46 million cost reduction in hospital-based health care compared with the year prior to placement. By placing individuals in independent housing, we estimate that 16,433 days of care in an SNF was avoided, corresponding with a cost to Medicaid and Medicare of approximately $9.2 million in a 7-year period.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of Public Health
Primary Contact
Joshua Bamberger
San Francisco Department of Public Health
University of California, San Francisco,
Department of Family and Community Medicine
San Francisco Department of Public Health
University of California, San Francisco,
Department of Family and Community Medicine
Topics
Economy / Housing & Homes
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of Public Health
Date of publication
Jul 2014
Location
San Francisco, CA
For more details
https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/files/...
https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/public...
https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/public...
Target Audience
Women, Men, Older Adults, Racial/Ethnic Minorities