Swedish Hospital Part of NorthShore

Promoting Better Health Through Housing

Homelessness has a severe negative impact on a person’s physical and mental health, reducing life expectancy by 15 years. Swedish Hospital – part of NorthShore partners with the Center for Housing and Health (CHH) to improve the lives of chronically homeless individuals who frequently present to the hospital’s emergency department (ED).|

CHH pays for the housing with a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, while funds from the Swedish Hospital Foundation provide intensive medical care and support services.

In addition to permanent housing and rental subsidies, participants receive:

• Assistance with securing critical documents (birth certificates, ID, Social Security cards);
• Education on tenancy skills such as budgeting and paying rent;
• Enrollment in public benefit programs including Medicaid; and
• Referrals for medical services, behavioral healthcare, job training and Managed Care Organization insurance care coordination.

Swedish Hospital’s ED has seen a drastic drop in visits and a regained sense of pride and purpose for the individuals they once treated. One particular individual enrolled in college and has only been back to the ED to thank those who helped him.