1. Supportive Housing Program & Partnerships
Boston Senior Home Care

2. Today’s Agenda Program Overview Program Benefits Our Sites
Newest Partnership -Health and Housing
Lessons Learned
Q & A

3. Program Overview What is Supportive Housing?
An “assisted living type” model that provides services and supports to low income elders and disabled individuals in public and private housing complexes.
Program focuses on building “community”, preserving tenancy, and providing support and resources to help residents age in place and remain independent for as long as possible.

4. Program Overview: Key Components
On Site Coordinator in each building
Enhanced case management
On-site wellness RN (part time)
Structured educational and social activities
Evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs

5. Program Benefits for Residents
Reduces isolation – provides opportunities for socialization
Builds community
Supports health and wellness
Improved and more immediate access to care and services
Helps people remain housed in the community and preserves tenancy

6. Our Sites First site launched in 2006
Currently total of 17 sites-mix of public and private funders
2 - State Funded (EOEA)
7 - Housing Authority
4 - Private Property Management Company
1 - Managed Care Provider
3 - through Hospital Partnership
Mix of elderly and younger disabled residents

7. Newest Partnership with Hospital
Connect to Wellness
Health and housing collaboration with MGH
Serves 3 buildings in Boston’s West End
Three member team (part time basis): RN, SW, Resource Specialist
Goal: Coordinate and support the heath and wellbeing of the residents

8. Connect to Wellness RN: SW: Resource Specialist:
Program lead, office hours 1 x per week, no hands on care
Counseling and advocacy to cope with everyday stresses of life/crisis
Self management and health education
Liaison and support to case managers
Answers questions regarding health and medications
Group discussions
Helps residents to communicate with health providers
Resource Specialist:
Benefits assistance
Links to services; translation, transportation set up
Evidence based trainings

9. Lessons Learned Get the right amount of funding
Scale your model based on funding
Determine your value proposition
Track & measure outcomes
On-site person
No cases & good customer service
Get buy-in before you start!
Build partnerships with property managers
Clarify expectations with funder at the outset
Program vs. Person

10. Q & A

11. For Discussion…
If you currently have partnership(s) around service delivery in housing, can you name one or two best or promising practices of that partnership?
Were there obstacles or challenges in developing partnerships?
Are you willing to share your experience (plus/change) with others?