Collaboration supports individuals experiencing homelessness in Virginia

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia is committed to improving whole-person health outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness. With homelessness rates in Virginia rising from 6.8 individuals per 100K in 2019 to 7.8 in 2023, there is need for targeted support.¹ To address this issue, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia has invested $10K in People Incorporated, a community action agency that provides over 30 programs and services, including emergency shelter and other housing-related services.²

Collaboration provides housing support

People Inc. assists individuals experiencing homelessness, including those impacted by recent natural disasters, by offering emergency shelter combined with comprehensive case management. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia’s funding will enhance People Inc.’s ability to advocate for and support these individuals through a range of housing-related services, including:

• Outreach and housing support services to engage and assist individuals in accessing stable housing
• Pre-tenancy services, such as housing search assistance, landlord engagement, move-in assistance and home furnishings
• Housing stabilization and service coordination to connect individuals with essential community resources
• Tenancy sustaining support, including individualized care management and interventions to prevent lease violations

Additionally, the funding will help provide case management and limited financial or in-kind assistance, ensuring that individuals can transition out of homelessness through direct support to vendors and service providers.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia and People Inc. are working together to improve coordination between the health system and housing services. This collaboration includes bidirectional data sharing to better identify and address the health and social needs of the community. To track progress and outcomes, People Inc. will provide quarterly de-identified reports detailing the impact of provided services.

Individuals experiencing homelessness face significantly higher health care costs and reduced access to preventive care services.³ By investing in housing-related services, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Virginia is creating a pathway to stability that can lead to improved health and financial well-being. Through collaboration with People Inc., the health plan aims to strengthen housing resources and reduce health disparities, ensuring that more Virginians have the support they need to achieve better health outcomes.