WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 17, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — The VA Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team Program, H-PACT, was established in January 2012 to provide a coordinated “medical home” specifically tailored to the needs of homeless veterans. Interdisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, and case managers respond to the ongoing and evolving medical, mental health, and substance abuse needs of homeless veterans entering the VA system. The program serves as a conduit for treatment engagement and involvement in VA Homeless Program and clinical services and supports through a “no wrong door” policy. It is designed to provide the care necessary to keep veterans in housing and prevent a return to homelessness.
H-PACTs now serve over 10,000 veterans in 44 VA facilities across all 21 Veteran Integrated Services Networks in the country. The program continues to demonstrate substantial (25-30%) reductions in emergency department use and hospitalizations (25%) among some of the most complex and difficult-to-care-for patients in the VA system. It has also helped them secure and maintain housing.
