About Us
The Bronx Health and Housing Consortium organized in 2011 with the purpose of establishing a collaborative network of providers in the Bronx with the shared goal of streamlining client access to health care and quality housing. The Consortium is comprised of representatives from health, housing, social service, governmental agencies, and the four Health Homes in the Bronx. The Consortium gained momentum following the implementation of Health Homes as the partner agencies felt an urgent need to increase communication, collaboration, and their shared goal of improving health outcomes for their enrolled clients.
The underlying reason for developing this consortium is based upon the premise that shared housing and health care provider understanding is necessary to support high cost/high need clients who require intensive, coordinated services to achieve improved health outcomes. Yet these resources are costly and scarce. With the recent implementation of health care reform and the establishment of Health Homes to focus on high cost Medicaid populations, it became apparent that the homeless and precariously housed populations are a significant driver of inappropriate health care utilization and high Medicaid costs due to the lack of integrated, coordinated services including stable housing. The coordination among local government agencies, hospitals, and social service providers has created a more comprehensive approach to homelessness that has proven effective.
There are more than 70 hospitals, health homes, community-based organizations, managed care plans, and government agencies actively participating in the Consortium. The range of services provided by these groups includes housing, community based health care, social services, behavioral health, harm reduction, and case management to name but a few. There are five government offices regularly represented at Consortium meetings and events. These government officials have been committed to supporting our efforts to formally organize, disseminate information, and advocate for services. Foundation staff and owners of private businesses have also attended events and expressed interest in participating as affiliates and offering resources as appropriate.
The underlying reason for developing this consortium is based upon the premise that shared housing and health care provider understanding is necessary to support high cost/high need clients who require intensive, coordinated services to achieve improved health outcomes. Yet these resources are costly and scarce. With the recent implementation of health care reform and the establishment of Health Homes to focus on high cost Medicaid populations, it became apparent that the homeless and precariously housed populations are a significant driver of inappropriate health care utilization and high Medicaid costs due to the lack of integrated, coordinated services including stable housing. The coordination among local government agencies, hospitals, and social service providers has created a more comprehensive approach to homelessness that has proven effective.
There are more than 70 hospitals, health homes, community-based organizations, managed care plans, and government agencies actively participating in the Consortium. The range of services provided by these groups includes housing, community based health care, social services, behavioral health, harm reduction, and case management to name but a few. There are five government offices regularly represented at Consortium meetings and events. These government officials have been committed to supporting our efforts to formally organize, disseminate information, and advocate for services. Foundation staff and owners of private businesses have also attended events and expressed interest in participating as affiliates and offering resources as appropriate.
