The ingredients for good health are not always found in the doctor’s office or on pharmacy shelves. The conditions in which people live have an enormous impact on health and well-being.

Funded by the Urban Institute Policies for Action Research Hub, this study examines emerging interventions that integrate housing and health services for low-income people, with a focus on interventions where health care organizations have taken a significant leadership role. Our research pairs over 30 expert interviews with six in-depth case studies to paint a detailed picture of emerging strategies and their potential to be sustained, expanded, and replicated elsewhere. The interventions we profile differ in scope, geography, population, and partner characteristics. Some were motivated by external influences, such as policy changes or community pressure. Others grew out of an evolving business strategy or leadership shake-up. Despite their differences, they are all rooted in an idea that is gaining traction among health care leaders across the country: investing in housing is investing in health.

In our in-depth investigation, we identified the following themes to building effective, sustainable partnerships around housing and health:

• Allies are everywhere.
• Public and private funding sources are essential.
• Community residents are an asset to the work.
• Data integration is difficult, but essential.
• Measurement matters.

Read the full report, and explore the case studies below to learn more about emerging strategies for integrating health and housing.

Case studies