Modern Healthcare recognized HAN member Kaiser Permanente for its investments in affordable housing through its Thriving Communities Fund. A recent change in the tax law provides a permanent 12% increase in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which creates an opportunity for health systems to partner with states to invest in affordable and supportive housing.
From the Modern Healthcare article:
Kaiser Permanente won’t curb affordable housing investments in the face of rising demand for charity care, said John Vu, vice president of strategy, community health. “We try not to view this as an either-or [decision].”
Since 2018, the Oakland, California-based health system has invested more than $300 million in 15,000 low-income housing units across eight states through its Thriving Communities Fund, which invests in affordable housing.
The nonprofit integrated health system views housing as an access point to healthcare and a way to lower overall medical costs.