Strong cross‑sector partnerships bring together organizations and individuals who support housing stability, health, and community living. Effective partnerships typically include partners across state, local, and community levels, along with people who bring lived experience.
- People with lived experience offer essential expertise grounded in real‑world experience. They may participate as advisors, peer leaders, and members of councils or advisory groups.
- State‑level partners help shape policy, funding, and system alignment. These may include Medicaid agencies, housing finance agencies, state units on aging or disability, behavioral or public health agencies, and state homelessness or interagency councils.
- Local and regional partners are closest to implementation and service delivery. Common partners include public housing authorities, continuums of care, local health departments, county or city human services agencies, area agencies on aging, and centers for independent living.
- Community‑based organizations bring trusted relationships and practical insight. This includes housing and homelessness providers, aging, disability, and behavioral health organizations, faith‑based or tribal organizations, and community advocacy groups.
- Health and managed care partners connect housing stability to health outcomes and support sustainability through funding, reimbursement strategies, shared staffing models, or integration of housing-related services into care delivery. These partners may include hospitals, health systems, managed care organizations, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, and long‑term services and supports providers.
- Supporting partners strengthen the work through expertise and capacity, including data or IT partners, legal aid organizations, funders or philanthropic organizations, and research or academic institutions.
Strategies for Identifying the Right Partners
- Identify and start with partners already working with the same people or households.
- Look for both decision‑makers and implementers.
- Include partners across state, local, and community levels.
- Be intentional about including lived experience voices early.
- Revisit partner lists as goals evolve.
Strong partnerships are built intentionally and grow over time. Identifying the right mix of partners is a critical first step toward creating coordinated and sustainable solutions.