The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 initially authorized the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program. In 1996, Congress combined the HCH Program with Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, and Primary Care in Public Housing under the Consolidated Health Center Program. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided additional resources to expand services and deliver sites.
Although all health centers provide care to people with limited incomes, the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program provides targeted funding to meet the needs of those living without stable housing. People who are experiencing homelessness face significant barriers in accessing healthcare. Experiencing homelessness can also exacerbate chronic health conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Donation Drive at CHC Clinics
In advance of NHCW, we held donation drives in each of our clinics to compile kits to offer to our patients who are experiencing homelessness. The kits contain essential items like socks, toothbrushes, and water bottles. These kits will be distributed to patients who self-identify as needing some extra support! We are so grateful for our awesome staff here at CHC who organized this drive and are helping to distribute the kits.
Watch for daily messages on our social media (Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram) to learn more!
For more information on NHCW, visit www.healthcenterweek.org/.