Homeless Health Care

Our Story

Our Health Care for the Homeless team at Third Street House provides a range of essential services tailored to the unique needs of West County Health Centers (WCHC) patients experiencing homelessness or who have faced homelessness in the past year and are not effectively engaging with their usual primary care providers. We understand that chronic homelessness often coincides with complex physical and mental health conditions. Therefore, we utilize low-barrier, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches to connect individuals with the care they need.

Our Methodology

Rooted in the principles of social medicine, the HCH Program recognizes that social, economic, and environmental factors profoundly influence health outcomes. People experiencing homelessness experience particularly steep barriers to health.

Thoughtfully tailored services for this population are needed to ensure equitable access to healthcare in our community. We pair trauma-informed, low-barrier, harm-reduction perspectives with complex case management to reduce obstacles to the core WCHC health services available to all our patients. In addition, we partner with community organizations and build in-house resources to meet specific needs not experienced by the broader population. Finally, we invest in following our patients through various systems including hospitalization, inpatient drug treatment and incarceration and assist where we can to help successful navigation of these sometimes daunting institutions.

Ultimately, our goal is to support unhoused patients in the enormous task of recovering from chronic homelessness and to do so in a way that affirms dignity, equity and justice for our whole community.

Criteria for Participation

  • Patient has been served at WCHC within the past 12 months.
  • Patient has experienced homelessness within the past 12 months, which includes living on the streets or in places not meant for habitation, such as abandoned buildings, parks, or cars; staying in emergency shelters or transitional housing; or couch-surfing or temporarily staying with friends, family, or acquaintances due to a lack of stable housing.
  • Patient faces challenges accessing or utilizing health center services in the typical or expected manner, such as difficulty scheduling appointments, irregular attendance, or not following through with treatments or referrals.

Need Assistance?

Everyone deserves quality health care, regardless of housing status. If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our Homeless Healthcare Services and how we can support you on your journey towards health and healing.

Contact Us: (707) 824-3398

Jared Garrison – Jakel MD, Physician and Director of Homeless Services ​​​​

Kim Moffit, MA, Site Supervisor

2023 Impact

  • 2,500+ hygiene kits
  • 400+ meals a week, including lunch and dinner
  • 20,000+ meals annually
  • 2,000+ showers provided yearly
  • 1,000+ harm reduction supplies distributed
  • 440 unduplicated patients served
  • 3,702 medical, dental, and behavioral health visits
  • 747 counseling sessions conducted
  • 878 medical appointments completed