Housing First is a widely-used, evidence-based housing model that ends homelessness for individuals facing long-term housing challenges.

With the help of our many community partners, the Coalition introduced the model in southern New Jersey. Our high-fidelity program identifies frequently-hospitalized and housing-unstable individuals in Camden using the Camden Health Information Exchange and provides them with safe, dignified housing with extensive support services so that they can improve their health and manage chronic conditions.

The pilot program is a multi-agency collaborative in partnership with South Jersey Behavioral Health Resources, Volunteers of America—Delaware Valley, Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society, OAKS Integrated Care, and Corporation for Supportive Housing.

Current funders

• NJ Department of Community Affairs
• Camden County Homelessness Trust Fund
• Virtua Foundation
• Camden County
• South Jersey Behavioral Health Innovation Collaborative
• UnitedHealthcare
• NeighborWorks America
• Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ

The Housing First pilot program provides 65 vouchers and optional wraparound support services to eligible Camden Coalition patients.

Read about how Housing First is addressing addiction.

In the news:

NJ Spotlight: ‘Housing First’ pilot shows how it can help improve the health of NJ’s homeless

NJTV News: Fighting homelessness by providing homes

Philly.com: ‘Housing First’ making changes for Camden County homeless

Courier-Post: Homeless man gets his first apartment

NJ.com: New program will give housing to homeless with health conditions

NJ.com: How giving homes to the sick and homeless is changing lives in N.J. county

PBS NewsHour: A way to save money when half of all health costs is spent on a fraction of patients

NY Times: Patients Prescribed Shelter and Medication Are Wary of Trump Cuts

Camdenhealth.org: Housing First: Building trust, changing lives