The Montefiore Health System Addresses Housing as a Social Determinant of Health in the Bronx

October 15, 2019  

The Montefiore Health System Addresses Housing as a Social Determinant of Health in the Bronx

HUD User publishes a series of case studies based on federal, state, and local strategies that increase affordable housing opportunities and support community development. The projects and community development efforts featured in these reports have demonstrated innovation through a multitude of partnerships and initiatives.

The Montefiore Health System is one of the largest health systems in the country, serving communities in the Bronx and lower Hudson Valley region. The New York health system was the first in the country to establish a department of social medicine in 1950, demonstrating an early and ongoing understanding of the social determinants of health. In 1981, Montefiore took a step toward addressing housing, a major social determinant of health, by forming the Mosholu Preservation Corporation and becoming an affordable housing provider in the Bronx neighborhood of Norwood. In 2009, the health system launched the Housing at Risk program to connect homeless or housing-insecure patients with housing resources, and in 2012 Montefiore partnered with local nonprofit Comunilife to launch a medical respite program. Today, Montefiore owns 112 housing units, retains 27 full-time hospital social workers, and participates in the activities of the Bronx Health and Housing Consortium.

Visit HUD User's Case Studies page to learn more about emerging practices to improve health through housing-related interventions.

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