Green Bay Packers Foundation Supports ER Housing Navigation Project

September 11, 2019

The Milwaukee Health Care Partnership has been awarded a $150,000 impact grant by the Green Bay Packers Foundation to support a two-year demonstration project to help secure housing for homeless patients seen in high traffic/high need hospital emergency rooms. Intended as a challenge grant, the Partnership is seeking additional charitable support to match the Foundation’s award.

Accepting a check from the Green Bay Packers Foundation at its July 23 grant announcement (front L-R) **Chris Abele**, Milwaukee County Executive, Joy Tapper, MHCP Executive Director, Paula Roberts, Director, Community Health, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Rosha Hamilton, Director, Population Health, Ascension Wisconsin (rear L-R) Mary Jo Meyers, Director, Milwaukee County Dept. of Health and Human Services Director, Robert Marrs, Manager, Integrated Family Support Services, Advocate Aurora Health, Dr. Chris Decker, Emergency Medicine, Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin, Bridget Clementi, VP, Community Health, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

The ER Housing Navigation demonstration project includes Milwaukee County Housing Division (MCHD) navigators who will partner with ER care coordination staff to identify, assess, coach and connect homeless patients with supportive housing. The Green Bay Packers Foundation grant will also fund short term housing subsidies, such first-month’s rent, utilities and furniture.

The ER Housing Navigation project, a part of the MHCP’s Housing is Health initiative, is expected to demonstrate a reduction of avoidable ER visits, hospitalization rates, and readmissions for formerly homeless patients. Additionally, the MCHD will evaluate the extent to which the project positively impacts law enforcement and criminal justice systems through reduced client encounters.