While most people experiencing homelessness are eligible or already enrolled in Medi-Cal, managed care plans have historically not been engaged in efforts to address homelessness. Through CalAIM that is beginning to change. While most Medi-Cal managed care plans are funding housing-related Community Supports, such as housing navigation and security deposits, many are not well connected to the larger homeless system of care. Building these connections can be difficult and costly but is crucial to the success of CalAIM’s commitment to improve outcomes for Californians experiencing homelessness.
The Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) offers Medi-Cal managed care plans the opportunity to earn incentive funds for building partnership with homeless systems of care. The program offers $1.3 billion of one-time funds available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
HHIP is a voluntary program, and managed care plans (MCPs) that choose to participate will work at the county level with local community stakeholders. MCPs must file an investment plan with the state which demonstrates a roadmap for achieving targets in collaboration with local partners. The state expects that MCPs will pass through the incentive funds to local partners by investing in work with local organizations that are leading housing- and homeless-related efforts.
See the resources below for more detail about the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program.