Impact of Housing Interventions on Emergency Room Visits Among Homeless Individuals in Washington State

In King County, Washington, authorities launched the Health through Housing program in 2022, aimed at reducing homelessness and improving health outcomes by converting hotels into supportive housing facilities. The initiative created over 900 housing units with on-site services tailored for individuals experiencing homelessness, with an additional 500 units planned. Data from the first two years of the program reveal promising results: residents of these housing units visit emergency departments and are hospitalized noticeably less often compared to when they were living on the streets.

Kelly Rider, director of King County's Department of Community and Human Services, emphasized that the program not only addresses homelessness but also yields health benefits, a conclusion supported by decades of research. The effort is critical given that King County faces a significant homeless population of over 16,000, and the existing supportive housing units are insufficient.

The program appears to be offsetting some healthcare costs, as fewer hospital visits translate into savings within the healthcare system. Experts acknowledge the health improvements associated with stable housing, though they caution against drawing definitive conclusions from observational data alone.

One illustrative case is Craig Santos, a 72-year-old who lived in a van for seven years with a chronic bladder condition. After moving into a supportive housing building, Santos experienced a significant decline in infections due to access to proper hygiene facilities and healthcare services. The involvement of nurses and doctors on-site allows residents to manage their health proactively, including medication adherence, thus preventing emergencies.

Pre- and post-housing medical records indicate that residents' ER visits decreased by 17%, and hospital days dropped by a third in the first year of residence. These improvements not only enhance individual health but also reduce demand on hospital resources.

Healthcare professionals highlight that addressing homelessness through supportive housing can profoundly improve health outcomes, but they also emphasize that some of these benefits may have occurred naturally over time. Nonetheless, personal stories like Santos' demonstrate how stable housing and accessible healthcare support can lead to better health and renewed independence.

As the program expands, it serves as a potential model for sustainable strategies to combat homelessness and its associated health crises, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive support beyond just providing shelter.