Agency Snapshot
Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) was established in Baltimore in 1985 and is a nationally-recognized model for the delivery of care to underserved populations.
- HCH services are comprehensive. We offer 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.
- HCH integrates direct service and advocacy. HCH uses our direct service experience to educate the broader community about homelessness and health and to advocate on local, state, and national levels toward public policies capable of ending homelessness.
- HCH is accredited for quality. Since 2000, HCH is voluntarily accredited by the Joint Commission (formerly the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) – a sign of our commitment to performance improvement and high-quality care.
- HCH delivers services throughout Maryland. In addition to the resources available at our Baltimore City headquarters, HCH also funds the delivery of services in the City of Frederick, and in Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore counties.
- Supportive groups foster client independence and leadership. HCH hosts a series of client groups on a range of subjects including men’s and women’s support, addiction treatment, dual diagnosis, diabetes management, acupuncture, yoga, advocacy, writing, and art.
- HCH Board and staff fulfill our mission. The HCH mission is guided by a diverse 36-member Board of Directors and implemented by a dedicated and interdisciplinary staff of 120.
- HCH by the numbers: In Baltimore HCH serves more than 6,000 individuals during more than 54,000 patient visits annually. Statewide, HCH serves 12,000 individuals during at least 74,000 visits. (This is a fraction of the 30,000 Baltimoreans and 50,000 Marylanders thought to experience homelessness each year.) Approximately 75% of HCH clients are uninsured.
- The need for HCH services is increasing. During these difficult economic times, HCH faces increased demand for services. In the most recent two-year period, the number of clients seeking our services for the very first time increased by more than 10%.
- A future without homelessness starts here. In late January 2010, HCH transferred operations into a new clinic and headquarters at 421 Fallsway in downtown Baltimore. The environmentally-friendly building will permit the expansion of existing services while also incorporating a pediatric clinic, an onsite pharmacy, case management offices for our innovative Housing First initiatives, and Maryland’s first dental program for homeless children and adults.