What Can Governors Do?
Act as a convener of key groups that may be partnering for the first time, such as: federal field offices, local agencies, state cabinet officials, state budget officers, local government officials, Continuae of Care, clinical and social services providers, the housing developer community, housing finance agencies (HFAs), public housing authorities, the Medicaid director, behavioral health officials, managed care organizations (MCOs), administrative service organizations (ASOs) and other stakeholders.
Direct Medicaid leadership to pursue authorities to cover supportive services, including tenancy support, and ensure that the most vulnerable populations have access to this resource. Prioritize high-need, high-cost populations and reinvest savings into the broader plan.
Direct Medicaid leadership to work with MCOs or through their fee-for-service program to leverage contracts for provision and payment of supportive housing services.
Consider a "no wrong door" policy for streamlined eligibility determination for public programs, including permanent supportive housing.
Leverage state-funded subsidy programs that can support "no wrong door" supportive housing policies.
Create a universal waiting list for affordable housing units to help prioritize the neediest populations.
Encourage public-private partnerships with the state's HFA or cabinet-level housing agency to create financial incentives for the development of supportive housing units and use tax credit set-asides to dedicate affordable rental units for vulnerable populations.
Encourage state programs to incentivize and implement best practices such as Housing First.
To most effectively centralize resources and discussions, create an interagency council on homelessness (ICH). Ensure that ICH
governance structure is modeled after best practices.
Support capacity-building opportunities for supportive housing programs, including improving services and administrative capacity to bill Medicaid or partner with Medicaid providers.