investments in housing for vulnerable seniors and veterans
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Investments in Housing for Vulnerable Seniors and Veterans HCDNNJ 2019 What is I Choose Home NJ (MFP)? Helps low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities to transition from nursing homes back to the community. Program savings


  1. Investments in Housing for Vulnerable Seniors and Veterans HCDNNJ 2019

  2. What is I Choose Home NJ (MFP)? • Helps low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities to transition from nursing homes back to the community. • Program savings are invested into long-term care supports and services in the community, as opposed to institutions.

  3. New Jersey Successes Transition Program: July 1, 2008 to present: 2941 Older Adults (65+) : 996 Physical Disabilities (18-64) : 977 Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: 968 Rebalancing Program: Reinvest enhanced matching funds to create infrastructure to maintain HCBS Over $30 million saved ~ $15.6 million left to spend 3

  4. The Nursing Facility Transition Population (not what you think)

  5. Age of ICHNJ-eligible Nursing Facility Residents 62 and Older 47% Younger than 62 53% 62 and Older Younger than 62

  6. Top 5 Barriers to NF Transitions HOUSING Family conflict Unresponsive/intransigent facility staff Medicaid eligibility and service planning Residents with diminished capacity

  7. NF Resident Housing Need 200+ ICH eligible NF residents need housing now Northeast NJ and North Shore

  8. Housing Barriers for NF Residents • Acute lack of affordable and accessible housing for low-income NF residents • Intransigent/Inadequate Nursing Facility Staff • Disconnected from housing resources • Family conflicts

  9. ... + Ageism! • Presumption of incapacity • Deference to family members • “She’s too old!” • Paternalistic thinking (“It’s a bad choice!/ It’s dangerous!”)

  10. Housing Capacity Inside NFs • Residents’ rights education • Push staff to do housing work • Social workers, Activities professionals, etc. • Empower residents to do housing search • Housing Search Quick Reference Guide • Connect residents to housing

  11. Medicaid Housing Capacity ICH has been a crucial catalyst to bridge housing and Medicaid in NJ. • All MCOs (e.g. Horizon, Aetna, United) now have experienced/dedicated Housing Specialists who - Define the MCO’s housing vision - Help locate housing for members - Build housing connections - Report data/progress quarterly to Med. • ICH convenes and trains these specialists quarterly on a range of housing issues.

  12. Housing Creation for NF Population MFP Housing Partnership Program through NJ HMFA • Division of Aging funded w/ ICH savings • Provides $75K loans to developers for 1BR accessible units for NF population in certain counties • HUD 811 Vouchers attached if needed • 81 1BR units total, $6.2 million ICH investment

  13. MFPHPP continued… Status: 47 units have been allocated to date (16 projects) 15 units pending HMFA approval (3 projects) Zion Towers (Newark) Georgia King Village (Newark) Wemrock Senior Living (Freehold)

  14. Moving Beyond ICHNJ… • Continue pushing for NF population in future Medicaid and housing policy • Explore senior housing programs/practices from other states • Master Plan for Aging (CA) • More housing supports in Medicaid waivers • Encourage managed care organizations to invest in housing (ex. United Healthcare - 70 projects in 16 states) • Support evidence-based solutions to senior housing crisis

  15. MCO Housing Development • Managed Care Organizations are investing in housing across the country • United HealthCare hit $400 million investment mark in March 2019, mostly through LIHTC investment. • AmeriHealth (DE) is paying for first month’s rent (not reimbursed by Medicaid!) and groceries for LTSS transition members. • We should incentivize/encourage NJ’s MCOs to invest in housing in NJ.

  16. Amy Brown, Esq. Advocacy/Outreach Director for I Choose Home Policy Director for LTCO (Long-Term Care Ombudsman) 609-826-5126 amy.brown@ltco.nj.gov

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