Our Path Home, the public-private partnership working to end homelessness in Ada County, in partnership with the Idaho Policy Institute, released the first New Path Community Housing 2019 Annual Evaluation. The Evaluation highlights the collective community benefit of the Housing First model, which provides housing to individuals experiencing homelessness alongside supportive services.
“When we first put this partnership together some people recoiled at the concept of ‘housing first.’ Now the enormously gratifying news for us to share is that the national data, and our local experience at New Path, clearly shows that this housing first approach is working. Saving lives and saving taxpayer dollars – this is exactly what we hope for, in good public policy,” said Diana Lachiondo, Ada County Commissioner.
“No one entity can address these tough issues alone. We have to innovate in public-private partnerships. A safe and permanent home is the absolute fundamental foundation for health and well-being. To that end, Saint Alphonsus is committed to work with so many community partners to support initiatives around preventing homelessness, and creating safe, affordable, community housing so that all people and families have a chance to flourish…at home,” said Jennifer Palagi, DNP, MPH, RN, CIC, Vice President, Community Health & Well-Being at Saint Alphonsus Health System
The Evaluation, performed by the Idaho Policy Institute, measures the impact of the Housing First model on New Path residents in four outcome categories:
* Health
* Criminal justice
* Housing
* Well-being
The findings of the Evaluation include:
* A total annual cost savings to the community of nearly $1.4 million
* 63% decrease in utilization of emergency services
* An increase in overall resident mental and physical well-being. Residents look healthier, are calmer and more stable and are taking on more personal responsibilities. They also report receiving improved social treatment in the community.
“The current pandemic highlights exactly what the homeless services system has been trying to communicate for years: housing is health. As we are all asked to retreat to our homes for our personal safety and that of the public good, we can’t forget the individuals and families experiencing homelessness, nor the households that live paycheck-to-paycheck and may now be facing unemployment or personal health crises,” said Maureen Brewer, Our Path Home Administrator. “Fortunately, for the last 16 months, New Path has provided the housing and support services needed for some of Ada County’s most vulnerable residents. The program evaluation reiterates the importance of a Housing First approach to homelessness and the cost-benefit afforded to the entire community.”
“New Path’s successful operations this first year demonstrate the value of providing health care, mental health counseling, substance use treatment and other support services onsite,” St. Luke’s President and CEO Chris Roth said. “Our most vulnerable community members are receiving the right level of care, at the right time in the right place. At the same time, we are seeing a quantifiable decrease in the utilization of our emergency departments. St. Luke’s is proud to be part of this unique public-private partnership. It’s so very true that we are better together!”
New Path Community Housing came to fruition with the support of Our Path Home partners, including Ada County, City of Boise, Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities, CATCH, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Tomlinson and Associates, Northwest Integrity Housing Co. and Thomas Development, The Pacific Companies, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, St. Luke’s Health System, and Terry Reilly Health Services.
The nearly 50 partner agencies of Our Path Home, work together to shelter and provide housing and services for those experiencing homelessness in our community.
For more information on Our Path Home, please visit www.ourpathhome.org