Health Care for the Homeless Program

The HCH program emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach to delivering care to homeless persons, combining aggressive street outreach with integrated systems of primary care, mental health and substance abuse services, case management, and client advocacy.  Emphasis is placed on coordinating efforts with other community health providers and social service agencies.

HCH grantees recognize the complex needs of homeless people and strive to provide a coordinated, comprehensive approach to the care they provide their homeless clients, and in such a way that welcomes them as patients.  Specifically, HCH programs:

• Provide primary care and substance abuse services at locations accessible to homeless people;
• Provide around-the-clock access to emergency health services; 
• Refer homeless persons for necessary hospital services;
• Refer homeless persons for needed mental health services unless these services are provided directly;
• provide outreach services to inform homeless individuals of the availability of services; and
• Aid homeless individuals in establishing eligibility for housing assistance and services under entitlement programs.

Related Primary Care References

Last revised 05/10/2001