More and better-coordinated services are urgently needed to improve the health of Sacramento County's chronically homeless and to help them get and stay off the street. That is the conclusion of a new report released today by researchers from the UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy Research and Sacramento State.
The health needs of the unsheltered in Sacramento County are complex and not being fully met by current service-delivery approaches.
The authors found that homelessness is growing across California. In Sacramento County, current services don't fully address the needs of the chronically homeless, who have complex medical, substance use and mental health care needs. Many services for the chronically homeless are dispersed and siloed. Access to treatment and housing is limited, sometimes with extensive waiting lists. These challenges often lead to care being provided in emergency rooms and jails.
An integrated approach could be an effective alternative, according to lead author Joy Melnikow, a UC Davis Health physician and director of the UC Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research.
"The challenges faced by people who have nowhere to live, no consistent transportation and multiple health conditions are overwhelming," Melnikow said. "Housing and treatment capacities need to be expanded and better integrated so that all people who are homeless can get the care they need."
Melnikow and the report team combined existing data and research with interviews to develop a clear picture of the health needs of the region's chronically homeless and offer new options for their care. They found that co-located, comprehensive service models are being developed to address the need for integrated, supportive care for the homeless across the country. They summarized the work of more than 15 U.S. cities that offer integrated services for the homeless. In some of those cities, services include housing. (See below for more report highlights.)
The report authors believe that an integrated approach in Sacramento County would provide opportunities for more effective and efficient care.
"Service providers throughout Sacramento County are helping a great number of people find housing and services," said report co-author Ethan Evans, assistant professor in Sacramento State's Division of Social Work. "Adding resources for coordination and information sharing could help serve those most challenged."
