A program of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation, is launching two programs to address food and housing insecurities.
OneCity Health, the NYC Health + Hospitals Performing Provider System under New York State’s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program, announced the Food and Nutrition Service Network and Housing Navigation Network will connect patients to available services that are traditionally fragmented and difficult to navigate.
Three lead community-based organizations (CBOs), BronxWorks, Public Health Solutions (PHS) and RiseBoro, will be awarded a total of $4.3 million to organize a network of 26 smaller CBOs to assist with outreach and referrals to available services, such as Safe Haven beds and eviction prevention services for those facing housing insecurities, and food pantries and SNAP enrollment for those facing nutrition challenges. The contracts will run through December 2020.
“By helping patients access and more easily navigate resources like affordable foods or housing, we can create a seamless experience for patients to address both their clinical and social needs,” said Israel Rocha, CEO of OneCity Health and vice president of NYC Health + Hospitals, in a statement. “A critical part of the DSRIP program has been building the underlying infrastructure that can facilitate these connections and get patients to the right resources.”