Health care providers in Camden and Atlantic City are addressing housing as a crucial factor in public health.
New Jersey Health Systems Expand Services to Address Housing Insecurity
New Jersey is taking significant strides in expanding healthcare services to address housing insecurity, particularly in the areas of Camden and Atlantic City. Health systems like AtlantiCare and Cooper University Health Care are playing an increasingly important role in the push for community stability due to the deep connection between stable housing and health outcomes.
Cooper University Health Care has integrated housing support into its patient services, focusing on individuals dealing with addiction, pregnancy, or chronic health issues. The "Unite" program, launched in 2020, connects patients with housing vouchers, legal documentation assistance, and transitional shelter options through digital tools and referral networks.
In a similar vein, AtlantiCare has been offering down payment assistance for employees since 2019 and launched programs to tackle housing insecurity in 2023. The health system is now embedding Medicaid-funded housing counselors directly into care teams to connect patients with housing while they are still in the clinical setting.
The city of Atlantic City has programs to help prevent evictions by subsidizing missed rent due to unforeseen issues. The Atlantic City Housing Authority is administering the Section 8 voucher program under New Jersey Department of Community Affairs guidelines this year.
Camden County, meanwhile, has a plan to end chronic homelessness by 2030, aiming for "functional zero" where the number of people experiencing homelessness won't outpace how many are being housed each month.
The NJ FamilyCare Housing Supports Program, set to start service delivery in 2025, is a notable new state initiative designed to help Medicaid members with insecure housing find, move into, keep, and modify housing to support health and safety. The program provides ongoing training and support for housing providers through partnerships with organizations like the Camden Coalition.
However, challenges remain. Ensuring robust coordination and data sharing across fragmented health and social service systems is essential to fully address patients’ complex needs. Transforming payment models from fee-for-service towards value-based approaches that incentivize whole-person care, including community and social services, is another hurdle. Expanding sustainable funding mechanisms for community-based housing supports beyond pilot programs is also crucial.
The geographic complexity of homelessness and housing insecurity requires collaboration among multiple municipalities and systems beyond local health care providers. For instance, more than 60% of Atlantic City renters were paying over 30% of their income on rent in 2023, exceeding HUD’s benchmark for affordability. More than one in 10 New Jersey residents either do not have stable housing or fear its loss, according to a Rutgers Center for State Health Policy report.
Despite these challenges, the successes are evident. Embedding housing counselors and integrating housing assistance into clinical workflows in Camden and Atlantic City has improved immediate response to housing insecurity. Medical-legal partnerships are helping patients challenge evictions and unsafe living conditions. The launch of community hubs like Oliver Station in Camden, which combine affordable housing and expanded access to healthcare services, supports older adults with an emphasis on sustainability and accessibility.
In summary, New Jersey's expansion of health care services into housing and community supports is advancing through Medicaid-driven programs, clinical integration of housing services, and community housing development with a strong emphasis on cross-sector collaboration and sustainable financing under federal waivers. Yet, overcoming systemic fragmentation and payment reform remain significant hurdles for broad impact.
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