CSH Initiatives and Products: Policy and Advocacy

This brief titled Supportive Housing and Olmstead: State of the Conversation, February 2024, delves into critical considerations for policymakers and advocates amidst implementing state HCBS settings rule transition plans and endeavors to ensure compliance with the landmark Olmstead v. L.C. decision. The essence of Olmstead lies in its vision to empower individuals with disabilities by fostering their seamless integration into communities and affording them the autonomy to choose supportive housing as a pathway to realizing this vision. This document recognizes the pivotal role of quality supportive housing in advancing these objectives and bolstering Money Follows the Person (MFP) initiatives across states.

CSH estimates that there are approximately 90,000 families and youth in need of supportive housing, including 43,646 families with child welfare involvement. While lack of housing should not necessitate child welfare involvement, housing instability alongside additional challenges such as substance use or mental health needs can affect the overall placement decision. Access to permanent housing often means that families can stay together while receiving child welfare prevention services or reunify more quickly if children are in out-of-home care. Research has demonstrated that children and youth who have a reliable place to call home also spend fewer days in foster care, experience a reduction in subsequent abuse and neglect cases, reduce their risk of subsequent homelessness, and increase their school attendance.

Housing vouchers and rental assistance play a significant role in keeping families together and supporting youth in transitioning successfully into adulthood. While most housing vouchers are issued from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) via local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) , there are many states that have funded voucher and rental assistance programs for families and transition age youth. States like New Jersey, California, Washington, and Colorado have all developed and funded housing assistance to support child-welfare involved families and youth.

An increasing number of states are including coverage of Housing Related Services (HRS) in their Medicaid programs. These new services aim to provide more units of supportive housing and higher quality services. CSH has found that states who include these six strategies in their efforts are more likely to be successful. Learn more about these efforts, examples and concrete next steps your state can take to ensure these programs lead to greater supportive housing capacity and higher quality supportive housing statewide.

CSH, in partnership with Regional Housing Legal Services (RHLS), conducted numerous listening sessions to engage partners during a year long planning grant to develop a supportive housing policy platform for Pennsylvania. This platform seeks to raise awareness of key policy issues that prevent communities throughout Pennsylvania from creating the supportive housing needed for marginalized members of their communities. Through several listening sessions, CSH and RHLS identified more than a dozen recommendations for policy changes in Pennsylvania and kept track of the most commonly occurring recommendations. A Core Review Coalition was consulted to further identify the policy changes that would have the highest impact on the creation and sustainability of supportive housing in PA, highlighted below. The hope for this platform is to guide statewide policymakers, housing developers, service providers, and housing advocates in the collective goal to end homelessness and create communities that thrive in the commonwealth.

View the Executive Summary

April 4, 2023

(Portland, OR) – Health Share of Oregon announces the selection of CSH to serve in the role of the Central Convener for Health Share’s Social Health Network. CSH is a 501(c)(3) with over 30 years of experience leading supportive housing and health-related initiatives both in Oregon and nationally.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently approved the State of Oregon’s application for a Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver. This waiver allows providers to bill for a set of Health-Related Social Needs services as Medicaid benefits. “Medicaid is critical to scaling health related social needs that allow people to thrive in permanent housing. Oregon’s Waiver is unique in many ways, especially its approach to health equity, which addresses the needs of communities of color that have historically had disproportionate access to physical and behavioral health support,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO of CSH.

In January 2023, Health Share sought an entity to serve as a Central Convener. The Central Convener will develop a network of community-based organizations (CBOs) who will support access to upcoming Health-Related Social Needs benefits for eligible Health Share members starting in 2024. Health-Related Social Needs are commonly defined as an individual’s social and economic barriers to health, such as housing instability or food insecurity.

Over the next two years, CSH will lead capacity building efforts, learning collaboratives and provide training and technical assistance for CBOs interested in being a part of Health Share’s Social Health Network. Mindy Stadtlander, Health Share of Oregon Interim Chief Executive Officer, said: “Investing in social determinants of health is a critical step towards improving health outcomes and promoting health equity. We are excited to partner with CSH to help us build local capacity and infrastructure that will support meeting the health-related social needs of Health Share members.” The proposal submitted by CSH demonstrated strengths in convening organizations, contract management, commitment to health equity and significant experience with supporting CBO capacity building. For example, CSH’s Medicaid Academy program covers the administrative aspects of Medicaid and helps CBOs set themselves up as Medicaid billers. Additionally, CSH can provide a national perspective and guide local efforts using expertise from their work helping other states with Health-Related Social Needs strategy development.

About Health Share of Oregon

Health Share of Oregon is the state’s largest Medicaid coordinated care organization, serving Oregon Health Plan members in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Our mission is to partner with communities to achieve ongoing transformation, health equity, and the best possible health for each individual. Health Share was founded and continues to be governed by eleven health care organizations serving OHP members: Adventist Health, CareOregon, Central City Concern, Clackamas County, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Multnomah County, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Tuality Health Alliance and Washington County.

Contacts:

Heather Lyons
CSH
Heather.Lyons@csh.org

Maureen Seferovich
Program Manager
Health Share of Oregon
seferovichm@healthshareoregon.org

The process of assessing for ongoing eligibility, known as redetermination, is beginning again in the first half of 2023. Homelessness and housing instability can make it difficult for individuals to receive their redetermination notices and respond in a timely manner. Because of this, national experts expect millions of individuals to lose coverage despite being eligible.

If you are a homeless services or supportive housing provider, this webinar provides information on what the Medicaid “unwinding” means for you. Learn how you can help residents keep their healthcare coverage. 

Congress passed an FY 2023 spending bill that disentangled the Medicaid coverage protections from the the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). This law required states to begin processing Medicaid redeterminations by March 31, 2023. Redetermination is the process by which state Medicaid offices determine the eligibility of continuing Medicaid health care coverage for current enrollees. States that have expanded Medicaid allow Medicaid eligibility due to low income. States that have not expanded Medicaid require proof of low income AND another individual characteristic such as age, disability, and illness. This fact sheet describes how supportive housing programs should prepare for Medicaid redeterminations, by March 31, 2023 in all 50 states.

State Senator Jeff Irwin, CSH, and state service and housing providers partner to pave the way for unprecedented funding.

The Michigan Legislature appropriated a historic $6 Million in its FY23 budget to expand supportive housing services. The state allocated the funds to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), which will distribute the funds to five eligible agencies through the PSH Supportive Services Pilot. MDHHS announced a solicitation for letters of intent to apply for the funding by February 24, 2023.

CSH worked closely with state Senator Jeff Irwin’s office, along with supportive housing providers in Michigan and the Michigan Interagency Council on Homelessness, to advocate for the funding.

“Supportive Housing models across the country have proven that when people are stably housed, they are happier and healthier. As a result, we see fewer people in crisis in our emergency rooms, jails, and community mental health services,” Sen. Irwin said. “Michigan’s investment in supportive housing will improve peoples’ lives and saves us money long-term.” 

The funds will boost services for people living in supportive housing who need additional assistance to maintain stability and currently homeless individuals moving into supportive housing.

Numerous examples in Michigan and across the nation demonstrate that a more significant public investment in high-quality support services paired with affordable housing can reduce unnecessary institutionalization and trauma for people experiencing homelessness. Michigan already implements high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare for those in need, and this funding will increase the capacity for supportive services.

“The state’s investment is following a trend among other jurisdictions and a growing acknowledgment that supportive housing services have been underfunded for many years. An abundance of rigorous data show that sufficient and ongoing support services funding can reduce long-term homelessness, improve lives, and reduce overall public costs. There is a significant return on investment,” said Catherine Distelrath, Director, CSH Michigan.

CSH has a long history of collaboration in Michigan, advancing work to bring supportive housing to scale for people experiencing homelessness and placed in institutional settings. Looking to the future, and using this allocation of $6M from the state legislature as an energizing force, CSH is working with partners to secure an additional $20M for supportive housing services over the next 2 years.

“CSH has an enduring history in the state, and we thank our partners for their collaboration, support, energy, and time advocating for the funding needed to advance supportive housing,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO, of CSH. “This historic investment by the governor and state legislature is a promising step to solving homelessness and cultivating our collective aspirations as a nation, namely that everyone has a safe, quality home where they can live and thrive.”

To receive a copy of the request for letters of intent, please email MDHHS-Homeless@michigan.gov. Service providers interested in applying may attend an informational webinar on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 10:30 AM or submit questions to MDHHS-Homeless@michigan.gov. 

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About CSH

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is the national champion for supportive housing, demonstrating its potential to improve the lives of very vulnerable individuals and families by helping communities create more than 385,000 real homes for people who desperately need them. CSH funding, expertise and advocacy have provided $1.5billion in direct loans and grants for supportive housing across the country. Building on 30 years of success developing multiple and cross-sector partnerships, CSH engages broader systems to fully invest in solutions that drive equity, center people and communities, and promote quality to generate concrete and sustainable results. By aligning affordable housing with services and other sectors, CSH helps communities move away from crisis, optimize their public resources, and ensure a better future for everyone. Visit us at www.csh.org.

Media Contact: 
Jesse Dean
Jesse.dean@csh.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Experts recognize that the Governor’s budget maintains the level of investment in addressing homelessness during a difficult budget year, and call on legislators to lay a foundation based on the state’s housing needs.

Sharon Rapport, Director, California State Policy, Corporation for Supportive Housing, made the following statement in response to the release of the Governor’s 2023-24 Budget:

“In a difficult budget year, it’s reassuring to see that 2022 spending on homelessness was not cut for the 2023 budget. However, no additional investments were made.

“The budget prioritizes unsheltered homelessness, but we can reduce unsheltered homelessness through long-term investment in housing. Shelter is critical in offering people a safe place to stay while waiting for permanent housing—but only homes end homelessness, and permanent housing must be the central focus of our strategy.

“The governor’s summary calls for increased accountability from local governments. This is correct—but it should be matched by accountability from the state for a budget plan that is predictable and grows over the coming budget cycles to meet the established needs of people experiencing homelessness in California.

“As the Legislature responds to this budget, it should lay the foundation for a year-over-year approach that uses data to meet the state’s needs with adequate housing, services and shelter—and that asserts the state’s leadership in ending a crisis rooted in our failure to build enough housing in California for decades.”

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and the California Housing Partnership, with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, issued the first-ever California Homeless Housing Needs Assessment last month to determine the level of public investment that would solve homelessness in California. 

It concludes that California must invest an average of $8.1 billion every year for the next 12 years to create the housing, shelter and supportive services needed to solve homelessness. 

To see the full needs assessment, visit calneeds.csh.org

Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is the national champion for supportive housing, demonstrating its potential to improve the lives of individuals and families who face complex barriers to housing by helping communities create more than 385,000 affordable homes paired with supportive services. CSH funding, expertise, and advocacy have provided $1.5 billion in direct loans and grants for supportive housing across the country. Building on more than 30 years of success developing multiple and cross-sector partnerships, CSH engages broader systems to fully invest in solutions that drive equity, help people thrive, and harness data to generate concrete and sustainable results. By aligning affordable housing with services and other sectors, CSH helps communities move away from crisis, optimize their public resources, and ensure a better future for everyone. Visit us at www.csh.org.

Media Contact: 

Josh Kamensky
Ocean & Mountain
(323) 326-7438
josh@oceanmo.com   

This toolkit uplifts the 2021 New Jersey Fair Chance in Housing legislation to provide insight to advocates in other jurisdictions working to expand access to housing for people with prior justice system involvement.

New Jersey is the first state to pass statewide Fair Chance in Housing legislation, also known as “ban the box” in housing, that limits the ability of landlords to consider criminal legal background checks at the beginning of the rental application process. This campaign centered on racial justice and passed with bipartisan support during the summer of 2021. This toolkit includes the following insights from New Jersey leaders of the Fair Chance in Housing campaign:

• Establishing the Campaign
• Building the Coalition
• Navigating Challenges
• Examples Other Jurisdictions Can Reference
• Understanding What’s in the Bill
• Key Lessons Learned