The answer to Kentucky’s housing crisis is finding unique solutions

Hopping from one sofa to a different with only a handful of garments on his again, John longed for someplace to name ‘house.’ Till one name modified his life without end.

Final yr, John was related to the help and sources that finally led to significant employment and stability he hadn’t skilled in years. 

He was gifted secure housing that included dwelling necessities like utilities, furnishings, and cleansing provides.

The decision that modified John’s life was to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Protect Medicaid’s Empowerment Staff, a statewide group of devoted people that connects Medicaid members to sources and packages locally, just like the Housing Flex Fund – a $300,000 funding established by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Protect that connects Kentuckians to housing options.

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This essential work is on the coronary heart of all the pieces we do.

John’s story isn’t an remoted incident. He’s certainly one of numerous others who’re dwelling day-to-day, couch-by-couch. 

At a time when our cities, our state and our nation are grappling with an absence of attainable housing, we should discover workable, distinctive options to the issue. And the Housing Flex Fund is strictly that.

Within the U.S., greater than 580,000 folks will expertise homelessness on any given day. In Kentucky, the speed is simply as alarming: greater than 4,000 Kentuckians will expertise homelessness, in accordance with america Interagency Council on Homelessness.  

No neighborhood has been spared. Cities, suburbs, and rural areas throughout the Commonwealth have all been impacted. 

To make issues worse, the Nationwide Low Revenue Housing Coalition experiences that Kentucky has a 77,000-unit scarcity of inexpensive housing, leading to over 60 % of low-income households in our state priced out of those choices. 

Everybody deserves secure, safe and secure housing. We all know that equitable entry to housing helps folks dwell more healthy lives, forestall power sickness, hold their jobs, and construct brighter monetary futures. 

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Within the six months since its launch, the Housing Flex Fund has offered practically $70,000 in monetary help to these in want. Nonetheless, greater than financial help, these funds have offered hope. 

Secure housing is sort of actually the muse that results in more healthy, longer lives. Nonetheless, nobody individual or one program can remedy the rising housing disaster. It requires a collaborative effort, and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Protect is on the forefront of main that cost.

We’re dedicated to serving to others discover hope sooner or later by working in live performance with our neighborhood companions and investing in additional options. 

For extra data on the Housing Flex Fund, please go to anthem.com or comply with alongside at fb.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield. The Housing Flex Fund builds on a number of latest neighborhood initiatives. So far, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Protect Medicaid has pledged $160,000 to enhance well being outcomes for Kentuckians experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness. 

Leon Lamoreaux is the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Protect Medicaid President in Kentucky.