THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021 Page 13 New program from Cambridge Health Alliance and Vinfen provides housing support to patients in need C AMBRIDGE – Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), an academic community health system serving Cambridge, Somerville and Boston's metro-north region, has developed an innovative partnership with health and human services organization Vinfen to provide comprehensive housing support to patients in need. The program aims to help certain members of the Tufts-CHA MassHealth Accountable Care Organization (ACO) plan who have chronic medical or behavioral health conditions and who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Each year millions of American households face “housing insecurity,” a condition that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is no single definition of housing insecurity, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services bases it on several key factors: trouble paying rent, overcrowding, moving frequently, staying with relatives or spending the bulk of household income on housing. HealthyPeople.gov notes that housing instability is a key social determinant of health and numerous studies have shown this condition to be a barrier to physical health and access to health care. The new CHA-Vinfen program includes housing navigation and related supports to help people access and maintain safe housing. This includes people who are un-housed as well as those at risk of losing their housing. Key components include pre-housing support, work to prevent evictions and improving the safety of current housing through home modifications. “CHA strives to meet patients where they are and support their needs,” said CHA’s Vice President for Population Health Management, Dr. David Elvin. “Over time, we have developed a greater understanding of the social factors that impact health and have expanded the traditional scope of healthcare providers. As stable and safe housing are so vital to health and wellbeing, we are excited to implement this new program. Rather than treat symptoms, this lets us support health at its foundations and help our patients thrive.” “Vinfen is pleased to partner with CHA on this important program. We share the belief that addressing housing instability will result in better health for the people we are serving in this unique partnership,” said Vinfen President/CEO Bruce Bird. “We have seen firsthand the dramatic impact of homelessness and the threat of eviction on the physical and mental health of people in our communities and are looking forward to addressing this crisis.” NEW PROGRAM | SEE PAGE 24 Baker to lift COVID restrictions on May 29 State to meet vaccination goal by beginning of June T he Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that the Commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and that COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29. The Commonwealth’s face covering order will also be rescinded on May 29. The Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory consistent with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On June 15, Governor Charlie Baker will end the State of Emergency. The Administration also announced updates effective May 18, 2021, to revise face covering requirements for youth and amateur sports and other guidance relating to childcare programs and K-12 schools. The Administration will release updated guidance for summer camps. The Administration can take these steps to reopen the Commonwealth’s econBAKER | SEE PAGE 19
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