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 are invested into long-term care supports and services in the community, as opposed to institutions.
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
The Nursing Facility Transition Population (not what you think)
Age of ICHNJ-eligible Nursing Facility Residents 62 and Older 47% Younger than 62 53% 62 and Older Younger than 62
Top 5 Barriers to NF Transitions HOUSING Family conflict Unresponsive/intransigent facility staff Medicaid eligibility and service planning Residents with diminished capacity
NF Resident Housing Need 200+ ICH eligible NF residents need housing now Northeast NJ and North Shore
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
... + Ageism! • Presumption of incapacity • Deference to family members • “She’s too old!” • Paternalistic thinking (“It’s a bad choice!/ It’s dangerous!”)
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
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.
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
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)
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
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.
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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