HHS and HUD Announce "Accelerator" States to Address Homelessness
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the states selected to participate in the new federal initiative known as the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator.
The Accelerator aims to help states expand services to make it easier for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with complex medical needs to get and/or keep stable housing. This includes people with disabilities, older adults, people with mental health disorders, and people with substance use disorders.
The following states were selected to receive federal technical assistance to reduce homelessness by addressing health-related social needs, including housing services:
- Arizona
- California
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Carolina
- Washington
All of the selected states are implementing HHS’ recently issued guidance regarding clinically appropriate and evidence-based services that can be covered under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. For example, Section 1115 Demonstrations allow certain Medicaid programs to cover short-term housing costs, housing transition services, and case management to facilitate mental health and substance use treatment for people experiencing homelessness.
Later this year, HHS, HUD, and USICH will host an in-person convening to discuss efforts to align housing, health, and supportive services to address and prevent homelessness. The convening will include the Accelerator states as well as states that applied but were not selected, the seven communities participating in the White House and USICH's ALL INside Initiative, and the states part of the National Academy for State Health Policy’s Health and Housing Institute.