7 Critical Ways The National Health Care For The Homeless Council Is Revolutionizing Care In 2025

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) is the preeminent membership organization dedicated to ending homelessness and improving the health of people experiencing homelessness. As of December 2025, the organization is at the forefront of policy advocacy and clinical innovation, uniting thousands of healthcare professionals, advocates, and individuals with lived experience to address the complex intersection of health and housing instability. Their work is critical, especially with the upcoming 2025 National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium setting the agenda for the future of care delivery, focusing on everything from Street Medicine expansion to fighting restrictive federal funding policies. The Council's recent efforts are highly focused on providing practical, updated guidance to Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) centers, which operate as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This includes comprehensive examinations of financial and operational best practices to ensure these vital programs can sustain and expand their services. The information below details the seven most critical areas where the NHCHC is making an impact and shaping the national conversation on healthcare equity as we move into 2025.

The 2025 Policy Symposium: Shaping the Future of Care

The National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) hosts its most significant annual event, the National Health Care for the Homeless Conference & Policy Symposium, which is the central hub for national strategy and collaboration. This event is vital for providers, policymakers, and advocates to align on the most pressing issues facing the HCH community.

1. Setting the 2025 Policy Agenda

The Policy Symposium, scheduled for 2025, is where the Council’s advocacy efforts gain their national momentum. Key discussions center around legislative priorities and collaborative models of care involving healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies. Attendees, including those seeking Continuing Medical Education (CE) credits, focus on translating on-the-ground experiences into actionable federal and state policy changes. The event serves as a crucial networking platform for the HCH community to discuss strategies for improving health outcomes for the most vulnerable populations.

2. Fighting Restrictive HUD Funding

A major focus of the NHCHC's current advocacy is its strong opposition to new funding restrictions outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Council views these restrictions as detrimental to the progress of HCH programs and a barrier to achieving stable housing and health for people experiencing homelessness. This policy stance highlights the Council's role as a vigilant watchdog, ensuring that federal policies support, rather than hinder, the mission of providing comprehensive care. The Council also provides fact sheets to the community to help them understand and respond to policy changes, such as the impact of the 2024 Election on the HCH community.

Key Initiatives: Expanding the Scope of Care

The NHCHC is actively working to expand the definition and delivery of healthcare for people experiencing homelessness, focusing on innovative models that meet people where they are. This commitment to outreach and specialized care is central to their mission.

3. Advancing Street Medicine as a Core Service

One of the most significant recent developments is the push to incorporate Street Medicine into the Scope of Project for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Street Medicine involves multidisciplinary teams delivering primary care, mental health services, and substance use treatment directly to individuals living on the streets or in encampments. The NHCHC is the premier resource for this effort, providing the technical assistance and advocacy needed for HCH centers to officially recognize and fund these vital outreach services. This initiative is a game-changer for reaching the unsheltered population.

4. Championing Medical Respite Programs

The NHCHC is a key proponent and definer of Medical Respite care, which provides a safe place for people experiencing homelessness to recover from illness or injury after a hospital stay. The Council continuously updates the literature and evidence base for medical respite, proving its value in reducing hospital readmissions and improving recovery outcomes. They support over 100 medical respite programs nationwide, emphasizing its importance in the continuum of care, especially during major transitions like moving from a healthcare setting to new housing.

5. Providing Operational Guidance for HCH Centers

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the HCH network, the Council publishes comprehensive reports and guidance. One recent publication provides practical guidance for HCH centers by conducting an in-depth examination of financial and operational factors. This technical assistance is crucial for the roughly 300 HCH FQHCs that serve hundreds of thousands of people annually. The reports help program administrators and governing boards optimize resource allocation, measure program value, and improve specialized programs.

The Critical Role of Advocacy and Collaboration

The NHCHC's influence extends beyond clinical care, reaching into the realms of policy and community-level collaboration. Their strength lies in uniting diverse stakeholders under a common cause.

6. Promoting Housing-First Initiatives

The Council strongly supports Housing-First initiatives, recognizing the undeniable link between stable housing and health outcomes. The policy symposium often features discussions on how these initiatives impact health and how healthcare providers can integrate housing support into their care models. The principles of the NHCHC encourage homeless service providers and their partners to collaborate, recognizing that health and housing are inextricably linked. The Council understands that addressing the social determinants of health, such as housing instability, is key to reducing barriers to care.

7. Uniting a Coalition of Advocates and Experts

The NHCHC is a powerful membership organization that unites thousands of dedicated individuals. Its members include:

• Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, social workers).
• People with lived experience of homelessness.
• Advocates and community organizers.
• Administrators of HCH programs and FQHCs.

This diverse membership ensures that the Council's advocacy is informed by real-world expertise and the voices of those most affected by homelessness. The Council is supported in part by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, underscoring its national significance. The NHCHC's commitment to measuring the value and impact of their programs, alongside fostering joint programs between hospitals and HCH programs, is essential to their long-term success in achieving health equity.

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