Whatever the reason, there are difficult choices individuals need to make that may lead to losing their housing. According to The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a single night in 2024, 771,480 people in the United States experienced homelessness.
Homelessness can be defined in multiple ways. This can mean anyone who doesn’t have a place to sleep, but homelessness also applies to individuals who stay in a shelter, live in transitional housing, stay in public unsheltered places, live in a motel, stay at a family or friend’s home. Many individuals who are experiencing homelessness are escaping domestic violence situations.
Health Risks for People Experiencing Homelessness
Individuals experiencing homelessness have increased health risks compared to other populations. According to the CDC, people experiencing homelessness are at a greater risk for infectious and non-infectious diseases. They are at greater risk for unmanaged mental illness, alcohol, and substance use disorders, and also are at higher risk for complications from diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease. With so many risks it is important for communities to treat or manage these risks before they get worse.
Healthcare Options for People Experiencing Homelessness
Homelessness contributes to barriers for care. Some of these barriers are discrimination, stigma, lack of health insurance, lack of consistent transportation, financial limitations, and resources that otherwise stabilize chronic medical conditions. Even with all the barriers they face, there are health care options and help available to individuals’ experiencing homelessness that can help eliminate some of these barriers.
- Emergency rooms- This is one of the most common methods individuals experiencing homelessness receive care, but it doesn’t need to be the only option. By providing additional options, communities can show individuals experiencing homelessness that they can get the care they need in other ways.
- Medicaid- Most individuals experiencing homelessness, or those at greater risk for homelessness may qualify. Medicaid coverage is an important way to have access to basic health care and applying for these benefits does not require a permanent address. Some organizations offer application assistance which can help individuals experiencing homelessness get some form of health insurance, which can also increase their choices of healthcare providers.
- Health Care for the Homeless- The federal government provides funding to several healthcare providers nationwide. These providers are tasked with ensuring access to low-cost services to individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes medical, dental, behavioral health, and preventative services. This can also include medical respite services for individuals severely sick or injured. By providing these essential services, individuals experiencing homelessness can receive the care they need and their conditions can improve rather than get worse.
How We Can Make a Difference in Our Communities
Pillars Community Health (PCH) works hard to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness. We offer medical, dental, and behavioral health services at our integrated health center in La Grange Park. Patient fees are based on a sliding discount scale to ensure reduced financial barriers for low income, uninsured or under-insured individuals. Our Benefits and Enrollment team work with individuals and families to provide guidance on available coverage options, including Medicaid eligibility and application.  Patients referred by shelters may also qualify for PCH’s free-care program.
PCH knows the impact of a whole community caring, which is why PCH collaborates with other organizations like BEDS Plus and UCM Advent Health La Grange Hospital to combine expertise and further meet the needs of patients. Uninsured adults experiencing homelessness have access to specialists, hospital services at UCM Advent Health, and prescription medication/prescription assistance. BEDS Plus supports this continuum of care by providing case management, transportation, and some prescription coverage for medical respite clients accessing these health services.
Services provided through our partnerships include:
- BEDS Plus housing facility in La Grange– PCH offers on-site direct nursing evaluations and will help connect individuals for treatment for all adults qualifying for medical services.
- BEDS Plus Summit Service Center– PCH offers comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and substance use counseling services. The UCM Advent Health La Grange Family Medicine Residency Program also provides inpatient management when shared clients are admitted for inpatient medical services and healing.
Our partnership with BEDS Plus connects highly vulnerable individuals with access to healthcare.
We recognize the challenges of finding shelter for individuals attempting to escape domestic violence. PCH supports these individuals in a variety of ways which include:
- Our domestic violence shelter, Constance Morris House.
- As a Cook County Coordinated Entry site, we provide case management for local unhoused individuals and families with history of domestic violence as they navigate the process of connecting with local housing partners.
- Families in Transition– a transitional housing and rapid rehousing program for families impacted by domestic violence. PCH provides therapy services to BEDS Plus clients who identify as having a history of domestic or sexual violence.
PCH will continue to collaborate with community partners to meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness. As a non-healthcare member of our community, you can also play a vital role. Consider serving food at a soup kitchen or donating food items to a food pantry to help someone receive the proper nutrition they need. There is hope, a small act of kindness can make a big difference in someone else’s life and on their health.