Public housing authorities express increased interest in addressing social determinants of health

The nation’s public housing authorities are seeking closer links to health insurers and medical care providers to address social determinants of health (Source: “Public Housing Authorities Seek Closer Ties To Health Insurers,” Forbes, Dec. 27, 2018).

The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) says half of the nation’s public housing authorities are “pursuing health investments in housing.” Yet only 13% of large public housing authorities have “dedicated housing-health staff members,” research from the council and its partner, the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation, shows.

“Recent research shows that housing is both a social determinant of health and a platform for other services that improve life outcomes,” Council of Large Public Housing Authorities executive director Sunia Zaterman said. “What we’re learning from our members and the other public housing authorities that responded to our survey is that partnerships with the health care sector are the most effective way for public housing authorities to serve the health needs of their residents.”

Click here to see HPIO’s work related to social determinants of health in Ohio.