Community investment for health: Findings from six health systems investing in affordable housing

Given the multiple social, environmental and economic factors that contribute to people’s well-being, one organization or sector alone cannot create and sustain healthy communities. Hospitals and health systems— as anchor organizations, or placed-based economic engines dedicated to health in their communities — can make lasting upstream investments to improve community health by working in partnership with others. Hospitals and health systems in the United States have a long tradition of supporting essential services in communities, including affordable housing. The funding streams historically used by hospitals to address housing, such as community or philanthropic grants, are oftentimes lifelines to their recipients and the community as a whole. However, overcoming systemic barriers that prevent structurally marginalized communities from truly thriving calls for innovative tactics implemented by cross-sector partnerships. Leveraging capital and expertise across sectors, such as community development and investing, can help health care organizations achieve more meaningful and lasting systemic change than health care-driven strategies alone.