What does it take to deliver healthcare to people experiencing homelessness? In this episode of Community Health Centers Unfiltered, podcast host and ACH CEO Amanda Pears Kelly talks with Barbara DiPietro, Ph.D., senior director of policy at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. They examine how health centers and Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) programs are meeting the needs of people experiencing homelessness, and why recent policy changes are igniting important conversations on access, dignity, and the true economics of affordable, accessible healthcare.
Healthcare for the Homeless
With more than a million patients served across nearly 300 federally designated programs, HCH centers provide critical primary care and commonly include substance use treatment and behavioral health services. Some programs offer street medicine teams that meet patients where they are–in parks, libraries, or encampments.
This episode dives into the stark realities of homelessness as both a cause and consequence of poor health. Dr. DiPietro shares powerful stories, including Reynard’s story—he was working full-time and struggled to remain housed as he cycled in and out of the hospital for diabetes. After being matched with HCH, he achieved a swift turnaround in well-being, including stable housing that offered critical refrigeration for his insulin, and case management to help keep him healthy and out of the Emergency Department. Reynard’s story illuminated the life-saving impact of stable housing and consistent care, and how both can support employment.
Podcast listeners will also hear about the policy challenges facing health centers and HCH programs, from major Medicaid cuts on the horizon to the rising criminalization of homelessness, and what it all means for patients and providers alike. Pears Kelly and Dr. DiPietro remind us all that while the barriers are clear, so is the need for advocacy.
The main takeaway? Housing is healthcare, and lasting solutions require compassion and more than asking individuals to simply change their behavior. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, policymaker, or community advocate, this podcast will challenge what you think you know about homelessness and inspire you to be part of the solution.
Tune in to the Community Health Centers Unfiltered Podcast or via Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Spotify, or YouTube.