Unmet Need Among Homeless and Non-Homeless Patients Served at Health Care for the Homeless Programs

This study compared the level of unmet need for medical, dental, mental health (MH), and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment between homeless and non-homeless patients served at Health Care for the Homeless programs. Using the 2009 Health Center Patient Survey, logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between homelessness and unmet need for care. Descriptive statistics were then used to examine reasons for unmet need. Homeless patients were just as likely as non-homeless patients to have medical and dental treatment needs met. However, they were significantly more likely to report an unmet need for MH counseling and less likely to report an unmet need for SUD treatment. The primary reasons underlying unmet need were an inability to afford care and a lack of knowledge about where to obtain it. Results highlight the benefits of allotting additional funding to HCH programs so that they have the capacity to expand their overall scope of services.