Homelessness-Broad

Current Area of Focus

Washington state has one of the highest rates of long-term homelessness in the country. This problem has worsened over the past decade and affects people of color more than others. Additionally, many Apple Health enrollees face ongoing racial, geographic, and health-related disparities. To address these issues, the workgroup is focusing on reducing housing instability for people enrolled in Apple Health (Medicaid). We are using a common performance measure called Homelessness-Broad (HOME-B).

We have partnered with two counties and their Coordinated Entry sites. Together we are working to improve how health and housing systems work together. Our goal is to better support adults ages 18–64 who are at risk of, or are already experiencing, housing instability. Coordinated Entry sites are uniquely positioned to support communities. They are often the first places people go for help and they serve people with complex and urgent needs.

This work follows a three-phase approach—design, implement, and evaluate. During the design phase, we built strong partnerships between Managed Care Organizations and Coordinated Entry sites in Kitsap and Whatcom counties. These partnerships are important for promoting equity and improving results.

In the implementation phase, we are now turning these partnerships into real changes in how work gets done. These changes help identify housing needs sooner. They also improve referrals and connections to Medicaid benefits and community supports. The evaluation phase will focus on keeping what works and building it into everyday systems. Our focus is on long-term improvements that reduce homelessness and advance equity over time.