Providing Integrated Housing and Healthcare For Women Experiencing Homelessness

By Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN, Illumination Foundation CEO

Over the past four years, Illumination Foundation has seen an increase in vulnerable women referred to our programs, especially senior women and women fleeing domestic violence. As a community, we need to invest in the health and safety of women experiencing homelessness who face unique challenges and barriers. We provide comprehensive services to meet their complex housing and healthcare needs. 

The most recent homeless count in Orange County found that there were 5,718 people experiencing homelessness, including 2,069 women, 389 families, and 718 seniors. It is widely believed that the actual number of persons experiencing homelessness in our community is much higher than this one-day snapshot indicated. 

California accounts for 30% of the nation’s homelessness population. According to the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness, the state’s homeless population is aging. 

Lack of affordable housing and access to healthcare services are barriers for women and families. The lack of affordable housing and the high cost of living, including rent, transportation, and childcare in Orange County, means families are vulnerable to homelessness. 

In Illumination Foundation’s programs:

• The number of females served in our programs has almost doubled in the last four years.

• The number of senior women in our programs has tripled in the last four years.

• The number of women fleeing domestic violence in our programs has more than doubled in the last four years.

These numbers and trends demonstrate just how much work still needs to be done. The impact of homelessness on women is distinct. In order to disrupt the cycle of homelessness we need to recognize and prioritize the specific housing and healthcare needs of women. 

Illumination Foundation’s Unity House Recuperative Care is a facility designed to serve medically vulnerable women experiencing homelessness. 

This all-female Recuperative Care provides client-centered care services. During their time at Unity House, staff members connect clients with a primary care physician and follow through with discharge orders from the hospital. We educate our clients about current diagnoses, special diets, and medication. While in Unity House Recuperative Care client’s also receive services from case management, housing navigation, and substance use counseling. Overall Unity House is here to serve our female community in the hopes of better health, and emotional and physical support to give them an opportunity to reconnect with themselves and society.

“Since coming into Illumination Foundation’s care, I’ve been given a house to live in, clothes, and taken to my medical appointments. They really take care of me.” —Lena

Learn more about housing and healthcare for those experiencing homelessness at www.ifhomeless.org.