The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented rise in homelessness, according to the latest U.S. Housing and Urban Development report, driven in large part by the nation’s affordability crisis. Between 2023 to 2024, the country saw a rise of 18% of unhoused people. In Ohio, that number 3% rose last year, and 10% since the pandemic. The HUD report also found that more than a quarter of adults in this population had a serious mental illness or chronic substance use disorder. There are some organizations that offer medical respite to people experiencing homelessness, for those who are too ill to recover on the streets, but not ill enough for a hospital.
In Northeast Ohio, there is one group doing this work, Joseph and Mary’s Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, which provides medical care to 21 men and women at a time, and helps them find safe housing afterwards. But changes to Medicaid at federal and state levels are making the future of these programs uncertain.
We’ll start Thursday’s show by talking about the role of medical respite with Joseph & Mary’s Home Board Chair with Michael Spangler. And, we’ll hear from the organization’s keynote speaker for its annual luncheon happening Thursday, Bobby Watts, head of the National Health Care for the Homeless Council…