Giving Compass' Take:

• By focusing on housing, the country’s largest managed care organization has reduced costs and improved member outcomes.

• The program is still a work in progress. How can funders help support its success? 

• Here's an article on the importance of driving innovation in homebuilding. 

In less than a decade, Cardinal Innovations Healthcare—serving more 850,000 members with complex needs in North Carolina—has made a 71% reduction in crisis services costs for members of its new community housing program.

Officially launched in 2013, the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) program, in partnership with the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), ensures individuals with mental health illnesses have access to safe and affordable housing along with community support to become responsible renters. TCL also teaches participants and their friends and family about recovery and activities to control symptoms and promote wellness.

So far, the program has moved about 850 people—214 in 2018 alone—from adult care facilities into independent housing. Of those who have moved, 72% did not have any emergency department or inpatient admissions last year after they moved into the new residences.

It takes a team of nurses, physicians, social workers and housing specialists to make the program work successfully. Participants are given a $2,000 housing subsidy for transition (and an additional $3,000 if needed).

Read the full article about healthcare programs integrating low-income housing by Jacqueline Renfrow at FierceHealthcare.