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Housing Is Working Group 2023-2024 Calendar

Join the Housing Is Working Group to discuss special topics related to cross-sector initiatives and programmatic considerations particularly focused on the intersections of housing, health, and education.

This year’s public webinars cover topics such as the mobility asthma project, trauma-informed approaches to housing, resident-focused racial equity work, out-of-school time, and how FCC grantees are supprting voucher holders.

View Calendar
 

Elements of a Successful Partnership

With generous support from the MacArthur Foundation, CLPHA developed an in-depth report on regional housing-education collaborations taking place at housing authorities across the Pacific-Northwest.

Read the Multimedia Report
 
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Policy Brief
Community:
Dec 4, 2019
In California, more than 3.7 million students were eligible for free or reduced priced school meals in the 2017-2018 school year. For many of those students, school meals are the primary source of regular access to healthy food. When the bell rings at 3:00 or lets out for summer break, many of those students go home to nutritional uncertainty or high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. For many low-income families, the out-of-school-time food access gap increases family stress: limited budgets are stretched further to cover food, rent, utilities, transportation, medications, and chidcare costs. For very young children, food insecurity can negatively impact brain and physical development. For children of all ages, disrupted access to healthy food can impact behavior, increase risk of obesity, make it harder to concentrate, or exacerbate existing healthy conditions like type 2 diabetes. The impact is not limited to summer, and can lead to a rocky start to the school year, negatively impacting school attendance and students’ ability to effectively participate in school. Read the full brief to learn how public and affordable housing communities can address food insecurity for children and youth with the help of out-of-school-time USDA child nutrition programs.

Authored by:
Topics: Advocacy, Early childhood, Food insecurity, Health, Healthy homes, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Nutrition, Out-of-school time, West Coast, Youth
Shared by Linda Lu on Dec 4, 2019

Keeping Kids Healthy and Engaged When School is Out Through Public and Affordable Housing Communities

Policy Brief
Dec 4, 2019
In California, more than 3.7 million students were eligible for free or reduced priced school meals in the 2017-2018 school year. For many of those students, school meals are the primary source of regular access to healthy food.
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Policy Brief
Community:
May 1, 2019
Stable housing plays a vital role in people’s recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). An inability to pay rent and the threat of losing housing can lead to stress that triggers substance misuse and relapse. People experiencing homelessness who also have SUDs typically find it difficult to address their substance use without a safe place to live, because they often use alcohol or drugs to cope with the dangers of life on the streets. In 2018, Congress passed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (known as the SUPPORT Act), which provided a variety of new programs and funding opportunities to help states and localities address the opioid epidemic and broadly help people with substance use disorders.

Authored by: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Topics: Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Mental health, Research, Substance abuse
Shared by Housing Is on May 2, 2019
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Policy Brief
Community:
Congress has an important opportunity in 2019 to improve the health of millions of our nation’s children by passing a strong reauthorization that protects and strengthens the child nutrition programs. These successful, cost-effective federal nutrition programs play a critical role in helping children in low-income families achieve access to child care, educational, and enrichment activities while improving overall nutrition, health, development, and academic achievement.

Authored by: Feeding America and Food Research & Action Center
Topics: Child welfare, Early childhood, Food insecurity, Funding, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Nutrition
Shared by Housing Is on May 1, 2019
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 1, 2016
Emerging health care financing models require much more sophisticated actuarial calculations than previous payment arrangements, often taking into account risk factors such as homelessness. Homelessness also has direct implications for clinical treatment decisions and integrated care models and should be noted in individual patient records. This policy brief provides a rationale for using the ICD-10-CM code for homelessness, outlines the challenges to maximizing this code, and offers strategies to consider to ensure health care providers ask about homelessness and record patients’ housing status. This data is highly relevant to clinicians and administrators at health centers, hospitals, state Medicaid systems, Medicaid managed care organizations, and public health departments.

Authored by: National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Topics: Health, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Mar 26, 2019
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Policy Brief
Community:
Jan 30, 2019
Under the continuing resolution (CR) that provided the funding to reopen the government for three weeks, SNAP (food stamps) now is fully funded at least through March, even if the government shuts down again on February 15. Millions of families, however, face a longer-than-usual gap between their February and March benefits because the Agriculture Department worked with states to issue February benefits early during the shutdown, and that could further strain household budgets, the emergency food network, and other community resources.

Authored by: Dottie Rensbaum for The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Topics: Food insecurity, Funding, Health, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Nutrition
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Jan 30, 2019

SNAP Can Cover Full Benefits Through March, But Participants Face Big Gaps Between February and March Benefits

Policy Brief
Jan 30, 2019
Dottie Rensbaum for The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Under the continuing resolution (CR) that provided the funding to reopen the government for three weeks, SNAP (food stamps) now is fully funded at least through March, even if the government shuts down again on February 15.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Jan 30, 2019
NLIHC stands ready to work with all members of Congress to seize the opportunity to address the full scope of affordable housing challenges for families with the greatest needs. In the memorandum below, we provide our recommendations on steps Congress can take—whether through an infrastructure spending package, the appropriations process, housing finance reform, or other legislative avenues—to make the critical investments in the affordable housing our nation needs to help the economy, our communities, children and families thrive.

Authored by: National Low Income Housing Coalition
Topics: Child welfare, Community development, Criminal justice, Funding, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Mobility, Racial inequalities, Safety
Shared by Housing Is on Jan 30, 2019
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Policy Brief
Community:
Nov 29, 2018
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is giving state and local housing agencies more funds to help them carry out a promising new policy to enable families with Housing Choice Vouchers to move to higher-opportunity neighborhoods. Agencies must apply by December 31 to receive the funds.

Authored by: Will Fischer for The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Topics: Child welfare, Funding, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Mobility
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 29, 2018

New Funds Will Help Housing Agencies Expand Opportunity for Families with Vouchers

Policy Brief
Nov 29, 2018
Will Fischer for The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is giving state and local housing agencies more funds to help them carry out a promising new policy to enable families with Housing Choice Vouchers to move to higher-opportunity neighborhoods.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Mar 26, 2018
This two-page fact sheet summarizes existing data on young children who are homeless and their families, including the impact of homelessness on health, development, early learning, and well-being.

Authored by: SchoolHouse Connection
Topics: Child welfare, Early childhood, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 29, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Nov 2, 2018
The new opioid legislation—the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (the SUPPORT Act)—signed into law on October 24 includes targeted expansions in treatment, including provisions that provide funding or flexibility to states to expand access to treatment for substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), and health care more generally in Medicaid and Medicare.

Authored by: Eva H. Allen and Lisa Clemans-Cope for The Urban Institute
Topics: Affordable Care Act, Health, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Safety, Substance abuse
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 5, 2018

The new opioid legislation takes important steps toward expanding treatment and coverage

Policy Brief
Nov 2, 2018
Eva H. Allen and Lisa Clemans-Cope for The Urban Institute
The new opioid legislation—the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention That Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (the SUPPORT Act)—signed into law on October 24 includes targeted expansions in treatment, including provisions that provide funding or flexibility to states
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Policy Brief
Community:
Nov 5, 2018
The potential impacts of expanding the regulation known as “public charge” have yet to be fully understood, but experts anticipate that young children in immigrant families—more than 90 percent of them US citizens—could be disproportionately affected. The proposed rule could make it more difficult for noncitizens to obtain green cards or temporary visas by negatively weighing several factors during the immigration admissions process, including current or potential participation in safety net programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Authored by: Erica Greenberg and Archana Pyati for The Urban Institute
Topics: Child welfare, Early childhood, Education, Food insecurity, Housing, Immigrants, Legislation & Policy, Low-income
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 5, 2018

Could "public charge" reduce public preschool participation among immigrant families?

Policy Brief
Nov 5, 2018
Erica Greenberg and Archana Pyati for The Urban Institute
The potential impacts of expanding the regulation known as “public charge” have yet to be fully understood, but experts anticipate that young children in immigrant families—more than 90 percent of them US citizens—could be disproportionately affected.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Nov 2, 2018
More than 56 million people live in communities that are classified as high opportunity areas. These neighborhoods often provide access to certain amenities or community attributes that are believed to increase economic mobility for their residents. However, they are also often encumbered by high costs of living and dense populations. As a result, the supply of affordable housing is unable to support the demand. In an effort to combat this, there has been an increased focus from research, policy and affordable housing groups on deconcentrating poverty and promoting affordable housing in high opportunity areas.

Authored by: Freddie Mac Multifamily: Duty to Serve
Topics: Education, Health, Housing, Low-income, Mobility, Safety
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 2, 2018

Spotlight on Underserved Markets: Affordable Housing in High Opportunity Areas

Policy Brief
Nov 2, 2018
Freddie Mac Multifamily: Duty to Serve
More than 56 million people live in communities that are classified as high opportunity areas. These neighborhoods often provide access to certain amenities or community attributes that are believed to increase economic mobility for their residents.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Nov 1, 2018
Colleges and higher education systems can make institutional policy changes to bolster the success of students who are parents and their families through intentional use of a two-generation approach. This brief focuses on traditional two-year and four-year baccalaureate pathways for students who are parents; it complements a brief released on policy solutions.

Authored by: Ascend: The Aspen Institute
Topics: Dual-generation, Education, Low-income, Partnerships, Post-secondary, Youth
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 1, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 29, 2018
In this Focus on Unaccompanied Youth brief, we review data and information that help us answer the following questions: • What is the scale of youth homelessness? • What do we know about unaccompanied youth who experience homelessness? • What do we know about patterns of homelessness among unaccompanied youth? • What do we know about youths’ risks for experiencing homelessness? • What are the most significant gaps in available data and our current understanding of unaccompanied youth who experience homelessness?

Authored by: U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
Topics: Data sharing, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Metrics, Research, Youth
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Nov 1, 2018

Homelessness in America: Focus on Youth

Policy Brief
Oct 29, 2018
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness
In this Focus on Unaccompanied Youth brief, we review data and information that help us answer the following questions: • What is the scale of youth homelessness? • What do we know about unaccompanied youth who experience homelessness? • What do we know about patterns of homelessness among unacc
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 24, 2018
On Wednesday, October 24, President Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation, H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. This sweeping legislation contains many provisions that could help children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness who are impacted by the opioid crisis, as well as provisions to help all children and youth who experience trauma.

Authored by: SchoolHouse Connection
Topics: Child welfare, Dual-generation, Early childhood, Family engagement, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Substance abuse, Supportive housing
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 31, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 9, 2018
This brief highlights evidence on nutrition supports for families with young children and proposes a policy-focused research agenda designed to address knowledge gaps in two areas: (1) understanding disparities in participation in nutrition supports and (2) assessing strategies to increase access to nutrition supports and reduce nutrition disparities.

Authored by: Mathematica
Topics: Child welfare, Dual-generation, Early childhood, Food insecurity, Low-income, Nutrition, Research
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 22, 2018

Nutrition Supports for Families with Young Children: An Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda

Policy Brief
Oct 9, 2018
Mathematica
This brief highlights evidence on nutrition supports for families with young children and proposes a policy-focused research agenda designed to address knowledge gaps in two areas: (1) understanding disparities in participation in nutrition supports and (2) assessing strategies to increase access to
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 9, 2018
This brief highlights evidence on income support policies, and associated work requirements, for families with young children and proposes a policy-focused research agenda designed to address knowledge gaps in two areas: (1) understanding disparities in participation in income supports and (2) assessing innovative strategies to reduce disparities in income supports.

Authored by: Mathematica
Topics: Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Research, Workforce development
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 22, 2018

Income Supports and Work Requirement Policies: An Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda

Policy Brief
Oct 9, 2018
Mathematica
This brief highlights evidence on income support policies, and associated work requirements, for families with young children and proposes a policy-focused research agenda designed to address knowledge gaps in two areas: (1) understanding disparities in participation in income supports and (2) asses
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 9, 2018
This brief highlights evidence about early care and education (ECE) access and presents a policy-focused research agenda designed to fill knowledge gaps in three areas: (1) documenting disparities in access to and participation in ECE, (2) identifying and assessing innovations to reduce disparities, and (3) identifying and testing strategies to scale up effective ECE programs.

Authored by: Mathematica
Topics: Early childhood, Education, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Research, School-readiness
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 22, 2018

Improving Access to Early Care and Education: An Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda

Policy Brief
Oct 9, 2018
Mathematica
This brief highlights evidence about early care and education (ECE) access and presents a policy-focused research agenda designed to fill knowledge gaps in three areas: (1) documenting disparities in access to and participation in ECE, (2) identifying and assessing innovations to reduce disparities,
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 9, 2018
Research shows that the earliest years of life are a critical period of human development. Young children’s earliest relationships and experiences have a strong influence on brain development and future health and well-being. Young children’s foundational relationships and experiences occur in the context of families and communities. Yet, low-income families—especially families of color and rural families—often do not have access to the basic necessities and resources to foster the nurturing experiences and stimulating environments that young children need to thrive. What is needed are policies that support low-income families to provide stimulating and nurturing environments to promote children’s healthy physical, socialemotional, and cognitive development and their future success in school and life.

Authored by: Mathematica
Topics: Child welfare, Dual-generation, Early childhood, Low-income, Research
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 22, 2018

Developing an Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda for Low-Income Families with Young Children

Policy Brief
Oct 9, 2018
Mathematica
Research shows that the earliest years of life are a critical period of human development. Young children’s earliest relationships and experiences have a strong influence on brain development and future health and well-being.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Oct 1, 2018

Authored by: SchoolHouse Connection
Topics: Child welfare, Early childhood, Education, Health, Homelessness, Low-income, Pre-natal
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 10, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
This short document provides basic information to help housing and homeless assistance providers advocate with their families and youth for appropriate educational services, from birth through higher education. The rights and protections outlined here apply to all children and youth experiencing homelessness, as defined by the education subtitle of the McKinney-Vento Act.

Authored by: SchoolHouse Connection
Topics: Disabilities, Dual-generation, Early childhood, Education, Family engagement, Homelessness, Housing, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Post-secondary, Youth
Shared by Mica O'Brien on Oct 10, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Aug 9, 2018
Partnerships between medicaid and supportive housing providers

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Funding, Health, Legislation & Policy, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Partnerships, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 9, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Aug 9, 2018
In a post health care reform era, Medicaid programs need to build system capacity to effectively manage increasingly complex Medicaid populations while simultaneously seeking innovative solutions to reduce costs and improve access. As states are increasingly becoming more reliant upon managed care for complex populations – such as individuals in need of long-term services and supports, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, as well as children with special health care needs – the needs of these populations range far beyond traditional health care.

Authored by:
Topics: Funding, Health, Housing, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Partnerships
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 9, 2018

Why Does a Health Care Company Care about Housing? Understanding the Intersection of Housing and Healthcare

Policy Brief
Aug 9, 2018
In a post health care reform era, Medicaid programs need to build system capacity to effectively manage increasingly complex Medicaid populations while simultaneously seeking innovative solutions to reduce costs and improve access.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Aug 9, 2018
Everyone needs safe, decent, stable housing. For some of the most vulnerable people in America — people with mental illness, chronic health conditions, histories of trauma, and other struggles — a home helps them to get adequate treatment and start on the path toward recovery. But some conditions make it difficult for people to maintain a stable home without additional help. Supportive housing, a highly effective strategy that combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services, can provide that needed assistance.

Authored by:
Topics: Cost effectiveness, Disabilities, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Mental health, Place-based, Seniors, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 9, 2018

Supportive Housing Helps Vulnerable People Live and Thrive in the Community

Policy Brief
Aug 9, 2018
Everyone needs safe, decent, stable housing. For some of the most vulnerable people in America — people with mental illness, chronic health conditions, histories of trauma, and other struggles — a home helps them to get adequate treatment and start on the path toward recovery.
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Policy Brief
Community:
Aug 9, 2018
Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that affect health outcomes and are the underlying, contributing factors of health inequities. Examples include housing, educational attainment, employment and the environment.

Authored by:
Topics: Affordable Care Act, Disabilities, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Low-income, Medicaid / Medicare, Mental health, Partnerships, Place-based, Substance abuse, Supportive housing
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 9, 2018
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Policy Brief
Community:
Aug 9, 2018
This brief outlines how state agencies can employ shared measurement and joint accountability across sectors as tools for improving population health outcomes. States can use these tools to drive coordination of preventive efforts and broaden the boundaries of population health achievements that no sector, or isolated incentive, can achieve alone.

Authored by:
Topics: Child welfare, Data sharing, Education, Family engagement, Health, Housing, Low-income, Metrics
Shared by Housing Is on Aug 9, 2018