History and Mission
Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) provides health-related services, education, and advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness.
One of 19 original demonstration projects funded in 1985 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trust, and the US Conference of Mayors, HCH has since evolved into Maryland’s leading provider of comprehensive health-related services for adults and children experiencing homelessness.
In Baltimore, HCH delivers pediatric, adult, and geriatric medical care, mental health services, social work and case management, addiction treatment, dental care, HIV services, outreach, prison re-entry services, supportive housing, and access to education and employment for thousands of City residents. HCH ensures similar services statewide through grants and technical assistance to partner agencies in the City of Frederick and Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore Counties.
With strong public and private support, HCH is guided by a vision of a future without homelessness in which all Marylanders have access to comprehensive health care, affordable housing, and livable incomes.
Timeline
2010: HCH marks its twenty-fifth anniversary by increasing capacity to end homelessness. In January, HCH moves into a new clinic and headquarters at 421 Fallsway on the near-East Side of Downtown Baltimore. The environmentally friendly facility includes additional treatment rooms, an on-site pharmacy, a pediatric clinic, and Maryland’s first comprehensive dental program for homeless children and adults.
2009: Construction continues on HCH’s new facility — reaching completion by the end of the year. HCH surpasses $16,000,000 in its Capital Campaign. Agency capacity for policy and advocacy is enhanced through additional support from the National HCH Council and the State of Maryland. Federal economic stimulus resources permit the further expansion of HCH clinical and support services. A successful annual audit caps more than a decade without a budgetary deficit.
2008: Elected officials, community leaders, clients, and staff “break ground” on HCH’s new facility. New grants permit the expansion of “Housing First” initiatives and establish dental services in partnership with Chase Brexton Health Services and the University of Maryland Dental School. HCH adds a state-certified Intensive Outpatient Program to its array of addiction treatment services. Number of Baltimore Staff: 115. Number of clients served in Baltimore: 6,000. Number served statewide: 12,000.
2007: With funding from the Federal Bureau of Primary Health Care, HCH works with public and private partners in Harford and Baltimore Counties to establish the Northern Counties HCH Project — creating access to services in both jurisdictions. HCH collaborates with Baltimore City and its Civic Leadership Council to create a Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness, centered upon a “Housing First” approach. (The plan would be released by the Mayor in January 2008.) HCH becomes a “Community Impact Partner” of the United Way of Central Maryland.
2006: A Federal grant permits the expansion of HCH services to Saturdays to focus upon the needs of homeless women and low-income workers. A second Federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in collaboration with Baltimore City permits expansion of the successful “Housing First” pilot program. HCH is reaccredited by the Joint Commission and becomes the beneficiary of the fundraising event, The Chocolate Affair.
2005: HCH marks its twentieth anniversary and begins studying possible sites for a new facility. A Board and staff committee completes a 3-5 year strategic plan which re-affirms the HCH mission statement and adopts four strategic goals: service expansion, enhanced financial development, capital planning, and expanded advocacy capacity. HCH begins providing medical outreach at You Are Never Alone (YANA), a program for indigent women. Average number of clients seen per day at HCH: 130-150. Number of staff: 100
2004: To address growing demand, HCH opens at 7:30 each morning. Staff document more than 2,000 occasions of turnaway due to limited resources. HCH receives funding from the state AIDS Administration to implement “rapid HIV testing.” Baltimore City voters approve by 89% a $1.3 million capital bond for a new HCH facility. The Maryland General Assembly authorizes a $1.6 million capital grant. The U.S. Census Bureau announces that 45 million Americans (750,000 Marylanders) lack health insurance.
2003: HCH is re-accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. HCH restructures again: a jail diversion initiative, the Cornerstone Project, is born, and the Mental Health Case Management and Intake Services teams are created. HCH explores locations and resources for expanded HCH capacity. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the Baltimore Ravens choose HCH as beneficiary of their Community Touchdown Program — raising more $33,000 (and the partnership would continue for a decade).
2002: HCH begins participation in the federal Diabetes Collaborative to improve health outcomes for homeless individuals with diabetes. The External Affairs Team is created, uniting under one functional team the agency’s public policy, financial development, community relations, and public benefit education staff. HCH initiates a new drug purchasing program in partnership with Mt. Vernon Pharmacy — allowing for a reduction in prescription costs. Average number of clients seen per day: 100-120. Number of clients served in Baltimore: 4713. Number served statewide: 7830.
2001: HCH receives commendation from the federal government for leadership in the delivery of HlV/AlDS care. With a capital improvement grant from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, HCH adds more workspaces throughout the building. Baltimore completes multi-year demolition of its high-rise public housing complexes — resulting in a significant loss in affordable housing units.
2000: Health Care for the Homeless becomes the first independent HCH project in the country to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The Board of Directors adopts a new mission statement: "We provide health-related services, education and advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness." The accompanying strategic plan reaffirms the agency’s commitment to advocacy and expands services to certain populations at risk of homelessness. HCH receives a large grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing support services to people with HIV/AIDS; the Connect Project is born. Number of staff: 74
1999: A local "redevelopment" bill threatens to condemn the 111 Park Avenue clinic; HCH launches a successful state-wide advocacy campaign to save the building and maintain accessible services in downtown Baltimore. “United for Progress,” a homeless voter registration campaign produces 5,000 pledges for anti-poverty policies.
1998: Under new leadership, HCH restructures, reducing administrative costs. A staff committee focuses on diversity and participatory democracy. The agency enters a partnership with the Pfizer Foundation to make managed care work for vulnerable populations. The HCH Mental Health Team enters a partnership with University of Maryland Medical Systems and is certified as an outpatient mental health clinic. The “Viola Project” is born, a targeted addiction treatment initiative for homeless men and women.
1997: HCH receives state certification for its outpatient addiction treatment program. The Writers’ Group is organized. Consumers are added to the HCH Board of Directors. HCH begins the Physicians’ Advocacy Campaign, a financial development program headed by prominent Baltimore-area doctors.
1996: HCH forms an Addiction Team to conduct outreach and operate an in-house treatment program. HCH advocacy results in Medicaid managed care legislation recognizing people experiencing homelessness as a "special needs population" with the right to enhanced services.
1995: HCH marks its tenth anniversary. The Governor eliminates financial assistance for individuals with disabilities. HCH helps mobilize a successful State-wide advocacy effort to restore financial and medical assistance to persons with disabilities. In July, Baltimore Magazine gives HCH a Best of Baltimore award for its mobilization efforts. The Art Expressions Group is born. Number of staff: 45
1994: Due to the increasing number of clients in need of medical attention, a formalized "triage" system begins at the clinic. HCH receives its first policy advocacy contract from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council.
1993: HCH provides increased HIV services through Ryan White Title I funding in collaboration with Johns Hopkins’ Moore Clinic. A federal grant makes possible the computerization of the entire agency, allowing intake and registration services to flow more smoothly. HCH organizes busloads of staff and clients, beginning an advocacy effort which would restore partial medical coverage for individuals with disabilities.
1992: HCH begins providing children’s services through the University of Maryland. The State of Maryland announces the elimination of Medical Assistance, State-Only (MASO) — the primary source of medical care for vulnerable single adults. Average number of clients seen per day: 75-80. Number of clients served in Baltimore: 3988. Number served statewide: 6630.
1991: In response to increasing rates of substance use in Baltimore, HCH hires its first addiction specialist to concentrate in dual diagnosis. The state eliminates funding for long-term residential and non-hospital detoxification centers, which significantly reduces access to addiction treatment. HCH outgrows its facility and relocates, along with other homeless service organizations, to The Center at 111 Park Avenue.
1990: The Vision Van, through the Maryland Society for Sight, begins providing eye care services at HCH. Staff organize the first Annual Comedy Care, a local fundraising event modeled after Comic Relief. HCH begins its relationship with the Lutheran Volunteer Corps.
1989: Mitch Snyder, nationally recognized homeless advocate, hits the streets of Baltimore with HCH outreach workers. HCH expands to the City of Frederick and Montgomery County. The agency convenes its first Annual Meeting, becomes partially computerized, and develops its first Strategic Plan, which incorporates policy advocacy. Number of individuals served statewide: 4013.
1988: HCH adds a formalized volunteer program and incorporates as a private nonprofit agency. The previous "governing board" becomes the first Board of Directors.
1987: HCH relocates to a centralized clinic (an old savings & loan building) at 232 N. Liberty Street. The clinic offers more comprehensive medical care, mental health services, social work services, referrals, and educational programs. Outreach efforts to shelters and soup kitchens are increased. Average number of clients seen per day: 35-40. Number of individuals served: 2499.
1986: The first Comic Relief show takes place in L.A. Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams head a group fifty comedians in an event to benefit the National Health Care for the Homeless Program. HCH is a recipient of funds.
1985: As one of 19 projects funded projects, HCH begins providing primary medical care at two Catholic Charities programs — My Sisters Place and Christopher Place, for women and men, respectively. Average number of clients seen at each clinic per day: 15. Number of individuals served: 734. Number of staff: 4
1984: A Baltimore coalition under the umbrella of the Health and Welfare Council of Central Maryland sends a letter of intent to Dr. Philip Brickner, director of the National HCH Program. Dr. Brickner had been working to meet the needs of people without homes in New York City since 1969.
1983: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trust and the US Conference of Mayors announce plans to begin funding for the National Health Care for the Homeless Program.