Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance Awarded the 2018 $100,000 Hearst Health Prize
3/20/2018
Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is the winner of the $100,000 Hearst Health Prize for its successful Home and Healthy for Good program, a permanent supportive housing program addressing chronic homelessness, overutilization of acute care and emergency care by removing barriers to housing. Individuals are provided with their own home where they can maintain sobriety, find employment and achieve other health and life goals. Tenants live in leased, independent apartments or shared living arrangements that are integrated into the community. They have access to a broad range of comprehensive, community-based services, including medical and mental health care, substance abuse treatment, case management and vocational and life skills training.
Impact
- A 78 percent reduction in utilization of emergency services within the first six months of housing; there is an increased utilization of mainstream systems of preventive and primary care.
- Prior to entering the Home and Healthy for Good program, 29 percent of the participants were satisfied with their health. After housing, 63 percent of the participants reported satisfaction with health.
- Since its founding, 981 adults experiencing chronic homelessness have been placed in permanent housing across Massachusetts.
- 66 percent of the total Home and Healthy for Good population is either still housed or left the program to move on to another type of permanent housing.
The other finalists for the 2018 Hearst Health Prize were each awarded $25,000.
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