February 10, 2026
Partnership strengthens state’s Medicaid housing stability infrastructure with operational excellence and proven care delivery
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL and EDISON, NJ – Upside today announced it has been selected by UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey (UHC NJ) to deliver Pre-Tenancy Services, Tenancy Sustaining Services, and Move-in Supports under NJ FamilyCare’s Housing Supports Program. The partnership brings Upside’s operational rigor and evidence-based care model to UHC NJ members experiencing housing instability across New Jersey.
The selection follows New Jersey’s recognition that traditional healthcare interventions fail when patients lack stable housing. State data shows that housing insecurity drives a cascade of preventable health crises: missed appointments, medication non-adherence, emergency department overuse, and complications from chronic conditions. UHC NJ’s decision to partner with Upside reflects a commitment to addressing member health holistically—integrating housing stability services directly into care management workflows.
“Healthcare organizations are recognizing that housing stability requires the same operational discipline and quality standards as any other clinical service,” said Peter Badgley, Co-Founder and COO of Upside. “UnitedHealthcare Community Plan chose Upside because we’ve built systems that deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes at scale. Our Care Guides aren’t just navigators, they’re specialists who understand both healthcare and housing, operating within structured protocols that ensure every member receives expert support. This partnership is about executing excellently on something that genuinely changes lives.”
New Jersey has emerged as a national leader in addressing social determinants of health through Medicaid. The state’s NJ FamilyCare Housing Supports Program represents one of the most comprehensive efforts in the country to systematically connect vulnerable residents to stable housing. By requiring managed care organizations to contract with qualified housing support providers, New Jersey ensures that members receive coordinated, accountable services rather than fragmented referrals.
Upside’s model is designed to integrate seamlessly with health plan care management teams. When UHC NJ identifies a member experiencing housing challenges, Upside’s Care Guides—licensed social workers and housing specialists—step in to provide targeted support. This includes assisting with housing applications, negotiating with landlords, preventing evictions, coordinating move-in logistics, and connecting members to financial assistance and community resources.
The company’s approach emphasizes measurable accountability. Care Guides work within defined protocols, maintain regular touchpoints with members, document progress systematically, and coordinate closely with health plan teams. Services are delivered in 240+ languages, ensuring accessibility across New Jersey’s diverse Medicaid population.
Since 2020, Upside has partnered with Medicaid managed care organizations nationwide, consistently demonstrating its ability to stabilize vulnerable members while reducing avoidable healthcare utilization.
The company’s operational infrastructure—built specifically for the complexity of serving Medicaid populations—enables it to maintain quality and consistency as it scales.
UHC NJ members will access Upside’s services through referrals from their care management teams. The partnership enables UHC NJ to offer comprehensive housing support as part of its broader strategy to address social determinants and improve whole-person health for its Medicaid members.
For UHC NJ, the partnership represents an investment in prevention and long-term member stability. For Upside, it continues the company’s focus on serving the most vulnerable populations through partnerships with forward-thinking health plans committed to addressing healthcare at its roots.
Upside is a nationally scalable housing stability platform purpose-built for healthcare. The company partners with health plans and employers to proactively identify and stabilize members and employees experiencing housing instability — connecting them to safe, supportive housing while reducing avoidable emergency care utilization and improving health outcomes. Upside’s model combines dedicated Care Guides — licensed social workers and housing specialists — with AI-supported housing orchestration to deliver measurable results at scale. The platform serves Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, D-SNP, commercial, and employer-sponsored populations across the full housing continuum, from crisis intervention to long-term tenancy support. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Upside is redefining how healthcare organizations address housing as a foundation of care. For more information, visit www.joinupside.com.
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey serves members through NJ FamilyCare and other state-sponsored programs. As part of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s leading health insurers, UHC NJ is committed to improving access to quality healthcare and addressing the whole-person needs of the communities it serves. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey is accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Upside Corporate Headquarters
200 E Las Olas Blvd 14th Floor
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
