Health Care for the Homeless

Program Information

The Health Care for the Homeless Program was initially authorized under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. Title VI of the McKinney Act added Section 340 to the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, establishing the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program. In 1996, the HCH Program was re-authorized under section 330(h) of the PHS Act by the Health Centers Consolidation Act.

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.

During Calendar Year 2000, the Health Care for the Homeless Program:

• Awarded grants to 135 community-based organizations in urban and rural areas, including community and migrant health centers local health departments, hospitals, and community coalitions. These grantees have expanded their service networks through arrangements with over 300 subcontractors.
• Served nearly 500,000 clients in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The majority of clients (59 percent) were male, and clients between the ages of 20 and 44 represented the largest portion of consumers served.
• Served some of the neediest Americans, including persons living on the street, in shelters, and in transitional housing. More than 85 percent of clients had no financial resources. The majority of clients (73 percent) had no public or private health insurance.

Special emphasis is placed on coordinating efforts with other community health and social service providers, which help ensure the adequacy and appropriateness of services provided to persons who are homeless. The program also works with national constituency organizations and other Federal agencies to further its mission to improve access to care for homeless individuals and families.

FY1999 $80 million	FY2001 $100 million
FY2000 $88 million

As resources are stretched to their limits, HCH providers must continue to create new approaches to deliver comprehensive care, unite providers through collaboration, and advocate on behalf of homeless people. 

Health Care for the Homeless Program
Division of Programs for Special Populations
Bureau of Primary Health Care
4350 East-West Highway, 9th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
301/594-4430 
301/594-2470 FAX

Related Primary Care References

Last revised 06/08/2001