One critical step to an effective transition out of homelessness is health. Homeless individuals often lose touch with healthcare providers and need an array of health services before they can focus on moving out of homelessness. Our coalition members work diligently to connect homeless individuals with vital care — including primary and episodic care, 104 beds of respite care, dental care, mental health care, and services for people with substance use disorders.
Proactive outreach: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program’s Street Team doctors fan out across the Boston streets seeking out the men and women to offer care to “rough sleepers.” Since 1986, BHCHP physicians have worked on Pine Street Inn’s Outreach van two nights a week.
Clinics in Boston and Springfield.
The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program provides health care at approximately 60 locations in the greater Boston area: soup kitchens, family and domestic violence shelters, overnight and day shelters and in two hospital-based clinics, including at Boston Medical Center’s campus at the Jean Yawkey Place, a 104-bed medical respite facility for homeless adults. Friends of the Homeless, in Springfield, operates a fully licensed health and dental clinic operates 6 days a week. A nurse provides health care six mornings and two evenings a week for homeless people at a shelter location. At the Boston Rescue Mission, clients needing care following a hospitalization can use the Stay-in Bed program, receiving regular meals, case management, and health care.
The Coalition for Homeless Individuals 