The Foundation

At Upside, we see housing support as a long-term commitment—not just to the members we serve, but to the Care Guides who walk alongside them. For people facing housing instability, a steady, empathetic Care Guide can be the difference between falling through the cracks and finding a clear path forward. But that level of commitment […]

Few challenges are as dynamic and emotionally charged as housing. For health plans committed to improving outcomes, supporting members through stable housing is no longer just a compliance requirement it’s a moral and operational imperative. Yet the systems we’ve inherited to manage this process often feel like they were built for a different era entirely. […]

AI is everywhere. From our inboxes to our investments, it’s the buzzword reshaping industries. But when it comes to healthcare and more specifically, housing stability for vulnerable populations AI’s promise isn’t just about automation. It’s about amplification: amplifying human connection, efficiency, and trust. Where It Starts: Member Engagement In our work with Medicaid members, older […]

When someone’s facing housing instability, the challenges can feel endless but SMART goals offer a clear, manageable way to start moving forward. For care teams and health plan professionals, these goals provide a practical framework that helps members break big obstacles into small, achievable steps. And when introduced with empathy, they become more than just […]

When we speak with health plans about housing solutions, we often hear the same response: “We’ve got it covered—we have an internal housing program.” But what’s really going on inside those programs? In most cases, these programs are severely underresourced and understaffed. One case stands out: a major health plan had a single employee in […]

“If a child grows up without stable housing, they’re not just inheriting a zip code they’re inheriting risk.” In healthcare, we talk about chronic conditions, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and the social determinants of health (SDOH) as if they’re isolated levers to be pulled. But what if one of the most potent and preventable predictors […]

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) are essential to our social support network. Many have deep roots in their communities, offering invaluable services to vulnerable populations. Some focus on housing; others specialize in food security, employment assistance, or health advocacy. Their missions are admirable, and their teams are passionate. But when it comes to solving the critical issue […]

I’ve sat in dozens of rooms with health plan leaders who tell me they “have a housing strategy.” Then we dig in and it turns out what they really have is a set of one-off flex funds or sporadic community partnerships that help members with rental deposits or eviction prevention. That’s not a strategy. That’s […]

We’re Past the Talking Phase We’ve been talking about the connection between housing and health for years. But lately, I’ve stopped framing it as a theoretical or future-facing conversation. We’re past that. Now more than ever, health plans are facing runaway medical costs, provider shortages, and a rapidly aging population, all while navigating an affordability […]

Housing instability isn’t just a matter of eligibility or paperwork. For individuals navigating trauma, disrupted support systems, or long-term disconnection from care, the barriers to stable housing often begin at a deeper level within trust, readiness, and confidence in change. Motivational Interviewing (MI) offers a person-centered, structured approach to overcoming those barriers. At Upside, Care […]