Homeless Service Use and Medicaid Spending in New Jersey

This project links New Jersey homeless services data from 19 of New Jersey’s 21 counties to statewide, comprehensive Medicaid claims data to address important questions related to Medicaid cost savings from well-targeted investments in housing services for vulnerable populations. Four activities comprise its focus: 1) work with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services to execute and validate the data linkage; 2) conduct analysis to identify opportunities for Medicaid savings and improved patient outcomes among homeless service users; 3) evaluate the impact on Medicaid spending of permanent supportive housing placements during the study period among Medicaid beneficiaries, including conducting detailed return-on-investment analysis of selected permanent supportive housing initiatives of greatest interest; and 4) engage with state officials responsible for Medicaid and housing policy and other interested stakeholders to refine analysis plans and disseminate findings.