Health, housing, and public policy

With federal funding of affordable housing declining, health care and housing organizations must work together to advocate sound policy and reasonable funding in this realm. Federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture traditionally have been the primary source of low income housing funds. But key housing programs like HUD's Section 8 have lost a significant amount of funding. Through advocacy efforts, health care and housing organizations can urge legislators to retain or restore these vital programs. They also can support the preservation of affordable housing units in order to counterbalance the trend of these homes being "lost to the market." Also, health care and housing agencies can partner to enhance housing services. Vulnerable populations-such as the elderly, individuals at risk for homelessness, those with disabilities, and the mentally ill-can benefit greatly from the supportive services that health care organizations can offer.