Having a safe, stable place to call home is about more than having a roof over your head. It's an important part of maintaining good health and overall well-being.
For individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, everyday challenges can make it difficult to prioritize their health. From finding nutritious food to accessing regular medical care, housing insecurity can affect nearly every aspect of a person's life.
Understanding the connection between housing and health is an important step toward building healthier, more supported communities.
How does housing affect your health?
Where you live can have a significant impact on your physical and mental well-being.
Without stable housing, individuals may face greater challenges managing existing health conditions, accessing preventive services and meeting basic needs.
Housing instability can also contribute to increased stress and uncertainty, making it harder to focus on long-term health.
For people experiencing homelessness, these challenges can be especially difficult. Without reliable transportation, a consistent place to store medications or access to nutritious meals, maintaining regular healthcare routines can become complicated.
Why is housing an important part of healthcare?
For individuals experiencing housing instability, addressing these everyday needs can help create a stronger foundation for better health. Stable housing can make it easier to attend medical appointments, manage medications, maintain healthy routines and focus on preventive care.
That's why efforts to improve community health increasingly recognizes the importance of addressing housing needs alongside traditional healthcare services.
How is PacificSource helping address housing instability?
As a Northwest not-for-profit health insurer, PacificSource recognizes that supporting healthier communities means looking beyond medical care.
Through our Health-Related Social Needs program, PacificSource helps eligible Oregon Health Plan members access services designed to address housing-related challenges and other essential needs.
Depending on eligibility, housing-related services may include assistance with rent, utilities and other supports intended to help people maintain stable housing. By helping address these challenges, PacificSource works to reduce barriers that can prevent individuals and families from focusing on their health.
Building healthier communities together
Addressing homelessness and housing instability requires collaboration across communities.
Healthcare providers, community organizations and local resources all play important roles in helping individuals access the services they need.
PacificSource works alongside community partners to support efforts that improve access to essential resources and help individuals overcome barriers to better health.
These efforts reflect a broader commitment to meeting people where they are and supporting the health and well-being of communities throughout Oregon.
Need help finding housing resources?
If you're experiencing housing instability or are concerned about losing your housing, support may be available.
Visit 211info to find housing assistance and other community resources.
Eligible Oregon Health Plan members can also learn more about housing-related support through PacificSource's Health-Related Social Needs program.