UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative
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UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
We conduct groundbreaking research to help prevent & end homelessness. Follow us for key insights and evidence-based solutions.

📪 Newsletter: bit.ly/BHHInews
🔗 LinkedIn: bit.ly/BHHILinkedIn
🖥️ Web: homelessness.ucsf.edu
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Nearly half of Californians experiencing homelessness report poor or fair health — 4× the national rate.

Our new report highlights key #CASPEH findings on the cycle between poor health and homelessness, barriers to care, and solutions.

Read → buff.ly/XbhSIxw

#healthequity
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Toward Thriving: Understanding Health and Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. Nearly half of adults experiencing homelessness rate their health as…
homelessness.ucsf.edu
We recently released a new evaluation of California’s Home Safe program—a statewide program based in counties’ Adult Protective Services that aims to prevent and end homelessness among older and dependent adults.

See what we learned: https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/HomeSafeEval
Evaluation of the Home Safe Program 2022-2025 | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
The Home Safe program is a statewide effort to prevent and end homelessness among older adults and adults with disabilities served through Adult Protective Services (APS). Administered by the California Department of Social Services and implemented by county APS agencies, Home Safe provides flexible, short-term assistance to stabilize housing and respond to housing crises
homelessness.ucsf.edu
January 27, 2026 at 4:01 PM
People experiencing homelessness face distinct #MaternalHealth risks, including disrupted healthcare access, exposure to violence, and higher risks for maternal and infant complications.

✅ Key recs: flexible housing subsidies, rapid rehousing, reproductive health support.
https://ow.ly/Kscy50XYjjI
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
People experiencing homelessness have different needs. Some need short-term support; others need ongoing physical or behavioral health services.

✅ Matching people to the right level of support can protect health and reduce the need for more intensive services later.

Learn more: buff.ly/NMHWh1Z
January 16, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Across CA, thousands are waiting for shelter beds.

The bottleneck isn't just # of beds—limited housing means longer stays & returns to the street.

✅ Balancing prevention, shelter & housing capacity helps people exit homelessness faster & uses resources more effectively.

Learn how: buff.ly/Km16G4R
January 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Housing + services is the best way to help people with complex needs stay housed.

Here's what it takes to work:
➡️ Sustained funding
➡️ High-quality implementation
➡️ Voluntary services that match people’s needs

Learn how PSH helped 86% of participants stay housed in Santa Clara, CA: buff.ly/VV18Oji
January 12, 2026 at 4:03 PM
For many Americans, losing a job means losing their housing.

With high #unemployment and the continued rise of unstable #gigwork, we must implement strategies to help people remain housed.

Get the stats: buff.ly/tMjJWeF
January 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
While 80% of homeless #olderadults in our recent study returned to housing at least once (usually with family or friends), half returned to #homelessness.

What kept people housed?
👉 Housing vouchers.

We can end homelessness by continuing to fund proven solutions.

Read the study: buff.ly/VbhyPV1
January 7, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative
And as @mkushel.bsky.social of @ucsfbhhi.bsky.social said: What if we help people BEFORE they lose housing keep it & access any services if they need them? This requires providing enough help for everyone so that we don’t have to triage limited resources to those in the most dire situation.
December 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
ICYMI: Older adults who have experienced homelessness feel deeply alone, even after returning to housing.

Nearly 40% report #loneliness—far higher than those who were able to remain in housing.

It's not just a feeling—it can harm people's health.

Learn what supports could help: buff.ly/Dr4VxKa
December 18, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The recording of our latest webinar is now available.
➡️ How are poor health and homelessness connected?
➡️ How are CA systems responding to federal changes?
➡️ What do older adults need?
➡️ How can systems partner with communities?

...Watch the recording to find out!
Webinar: Understanding Health & Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. These health challenges make it harder for people to obtain and retain…
buff.ly
December 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
34% of homeless adults in our #CASPEH study had difficulty with daily activities (dressing, eating, etc.). 22% had difficulty walking across a room. #Disabilities make homelessness far more difficult to navigate.

Learn how our systems can work together to find solutions:
buff.ly/JUydGsn
December 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Happening Thursday!

Join leaders from California’s homelessness, social services, and health systems to discuss how chronic illness, disability, and barriers to care impact people experiencing homelessness—and how coordinated responses can help.

📅 Dec 4 | 🕛 12 PM PT
🔗 buff.ly/OxB1YHt
Webinar: Understanding Health & Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. These health challenges make it harder for people to obtain and retain…
buff.ly
December 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Happening next week!

Health and homelessness are inseparable. Join BHHI and experts from across health, homelessness, and social services to discuss health findings from the largest U.S. study of homelessness in 30 years—and coordinated solutions.

📅 Dec 4 | 🕛 12 PM PT
💻 buff.ly/GTuI9Br
Webinar: Understanding Health & Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. These health challenges make it harder for people to obtain and retain…
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
ICYMI: Last week we released a report on health and homelessness.

Using data from the largest U.S. representative study since the 1990s, it offers a detailed look at the connection between health and homelessness and provides research-backed recommendations.

📘 Read the Report → buff.ly/XbhSIxw
November 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
“If you run it the right way and attach people to the appropriate supports and services, you can get people on a path to stability and community reintegration, and that’s what we want.”

Marc Dones lays out the steps to effective encampment resolution w/ @ryan-levi.bsky.social.
Homeless Camp Sweeps Can Harm Health. Some Cities Are Trying a New Way.
Several cities and counties are addressing street homelessness with a new approach, which experts say can clear encampments while protecting the health of people who are forced to move.
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative
📢 New paper alert:

We examined long-term housing results among a cohort of older homeless adults.

Full article: Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
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Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study
Homelessness is dynamic; some individuals cycle between homelessness and housing. In a longitudinal study of 411 adults aged 50 and older who were homeless at study enrollment, we examined the prev...
www.tandfonline.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Most people experiencing homelessness don’t regularly use drugs. Among those who do, 1 in 5 ppl seeking treatment couldn’t get it.

BHHI Director Dr. Margot Kushel @mkushel.bsky.social discusses #behavioralhealth & #homelessness on KCBS:

🎧 Interview: buff.ly/vy5mBch
▶️ BHHI Webinar: buff.ly/VpEO9pz
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Nearly half of Californians experiencing homelessness report poor or fair health — 4× the national rate.

Our new report highlights key #CASPEH findings on the cycle between poor health and homelessness, barriers to care, and solutions.

Read → buff.ly/XbhSIxw

#healthequity
🧵 1/6
Toward Thriving: Understanding Health and Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. Nearly half of adults experiencing homelessness rate their health as…
homelessness.ucsf.edu
November 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
“The changes announced in this year’s CoC NOFO represent a profound and dangerous departure from longstanding evidence-based homelessness policy..." says BHHI Director Margot Kushel, MD.

Read @mkushel.bsky.social's full statement:

homelessness.ucsf.edu/resources/pr...
Statement by UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative Director Margot Kushel MD on HUD’s FY2025 Continuum of Care Program NOFO | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
SAN FRANCISCO (November 17, 2025) – Following is a statement by Margot Kushel, MD, Director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) at the University of California, San Francisco, on...
homelessness.ucsf.edu
November 17, 2025 at 8:44 PM
🧠 1 in 3 older adults experiencing homelessness have trouble remembering, concentrating, or understanding.

🏠 We must expand housing and integrated care so people can age with dignity.
buff.ly/fti18Xs

#AlzheimersAwarenessMonth
November 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Ending homelessness requires centering the expertise of those who've lived it.

Recent work from current and former BHHI team members, Lived Expertise Board members, and NYU colleagues demonstrates how collaboration between lived & academic experts leads to better solutions.

📄 Read: buff.ly/C3K5W8B
November 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This #VeteransDay, we honor those who’ve served — and highlight recent research showing how housing improves veterans’ health.

🏠 Studies led by Dr. Hannah Decker link housing to earlier cancer detection and improved survival.

Learn more: buff.ly/Y7htc4b
@hannahdeckermd.bsky.social
Housing Status Changes Are Associated With Cancer Outcomes For US Veterans
Video Abstract: “Housing Status Changes Are Associated With Cancer Outcomes For US Veterans.” In the February 2024 issue of Health Affairs, Hannah Decker of the University of California San Francisco…
buff.ly
November 12, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Solving homelessness effectively requires addressing health—not as a separate challenge, but as a deeply connected part of the same crisis.

Join us Dec 4 for a discussion of our upcoming health report and research-backed recommendations for a coordinated response.

📅 12–1 PM PT
🔗 buff.ly/gSPDfGF
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Quitting tobacco saves lives—but it’s harder without stable housing or support.

Research led by Dr. Maya Vijayaraghavan shows that when cessation programs meet people where they are, progress is possible.

Explore the research:
➡️ buff.ly/lRgrqP9
#LungCancerAwarenessMonth #PublicHealth
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Why are so many people being pushed into homelessness?

☑️ Nearly half of all U.S. workers now earn less than the hourly wage needed to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment.

☑️ In CA, workers must earn nearly $50 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.
NLIHC (@nlihc.org)
#FOTW: In 18 States, Renters Must Earn More Than $30 an Hour to Afford A Two-Bedroom Apartment at Fair Market Rent
buff.ly
November 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM