Intermountain Health allocates funding across our enterprise to support community-based organizations with a focus on collaboration and improving health outcomes. We use innovative approaches to address social determinants of health, including supporting programs aimed at improving housing stability, helping with displacement prevention, and increasing access to healthy and affordable food.
In Utah, Intermountain Health provides funding to many collaborative programs with this focus. One example is the Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) program. This program provides temporary housing and medical services to seniors, veterans, and the medically frail who are experiencing homelessness in Utah and need a safe place to stay, but don’t require hospitalization.
In partnership with the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness and the State Office of Homeless Services, Fourth Street Clinic has worked closely with community collaborators over the past several years to ensure that the community has a permanent facility for the program, later provided by Shelter the Homeless. Another nonprofit in Salt Lake City, The Road Home, serves as the operator for the MVP program, while Fourth Street Clinic provides onsite medical support, including medical case management and access to the Mobile Medical Clinic.
"The MVP program fulfills a significant service gap in our community,” says Jeniece Olsen, Chief Operating Officer, Fourth Street Clinic. “We’ve known for many years that those experiencing homelessness who are aging and have medical frailties need a more private space to rest and recover, with housing and medical support that are tailored to meet their unique needs. Advocacy for these needs and closely coordinated partnerships have made this program a reality.”
Individuals in the program can connect with housing services, rehabilitate from illness, and connect with necessary healthcare and care management services. In a safe environment, they can find stability and move toward permanent housing and other long-term solutions.