Homelessness and healthcare are often thought of as distinct issues, but the two are actually inextricably intertwined, according to an op-ed in The Oregonian by George Brown, president and CEO of Portland-based provider Legacy Health, and Eric Hunter, president and CEO of Portland-based health plan CareOregon.
Those who struggle with chronic homelessness often suffer from a myriad of health problems resulting from housing insecurity. The authors cite this as the reason why they, along with a number of other provider systems, invested in the construction of 379 affordable housing units in Portland, which broke ground earlier this month.
The authors call attention to President Donald Trump's proposed federal budget, which would cut funding to the Department of Housing and Urban Development by $6 billion and reduce the number of Section 8 housing vouchers that would be distributed. They argue that these reductions will leave many families homeless and have dire consequences for their health.
The CEOs contend that providing housing vouchers is not only a matter of putting a roof over people's heads, but is also a vital community health measure that must be fought for by homelessness advocates and healthcare professionals alike.
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