It is well established that housing is one of the most significant social determinants of health. Understanding that safe, affordable, and stable housing is also the most complex and expensive social resource to navigate and secure for patients, Milwaukee’s four health systems – Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin, and Froedtert Health – came together through the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership to create a housing navigation program: Housing is Health.

The Housing is Health program works in collaboration with Milwaukee County Housing Services and IMPACT Coordinated Entry to screen and refer homeless/vulnerably housed patients receiving ER or inpatient care for housing support. Navigators then help patients secure temporary housing, provide case management, secure supportive services, and aid in their ultimate transition to permanent housing stability. 

While the program was initially designed to serve hospital patients, in 2020, it expanded to serve patients and families at Children’s Midtown primary care clinic. After experiencing positive results, the program was further extended into primary care clinics and is now in all five Milwaukee Federally Qualified Health Centers, located in low-income neighborhoods.

As of January 2022, Housing is Health has connected 242 patients to temporary housing and facilitated permanent housing for 120 patients across inpatient, ER, and primary care settings. 

Funding for the program is provided by the Milwaukee-based health systems via their Shared Community Investment Fund, the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the Greater Milwaukee Business Foundation on Health, the Medical Society of Milwaukee County, and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County.