How the Hudson Valley Social Care Network and Search for Change are tackling one of the region’s most urgent challenges
Article Summary
The Hudson Valley Social Care Network (SCN) is helping Medicaid members access housing support—from rental assistance to housing navigation—through partnerships with organizations like Search for Change. But in a region facing a severe housing shortage, solving the problem requires more than connection. It requires speed, coordination, and new models of support.
Housing Is the Foundation of Health
April is Fair Housing Awareness Month, a time to look beyond access and focus on what a home truly provides: stability, safety, and the foundation for good health.
For Search for Change, that connection has been central for more than 50 years.
“We were established first and foremost as a supportive housing provider,” said Ashley Brody, CEO of Search for Change.
Today, that mission has expanded, but housing remains at the core.
“Most health outcomes are driven by social factors: your housing, your zip code, your relationships,” Brody said. “And housing is core to that.”
Without stable housing, everything else becomes harder—managing chronic conditions, accessing care, maintaining employment.
“If people don’t have stable, safe, affordable housing, they’re not going to be healthy.”
Limited Supply, Rising Costs, Growing Need
Across the Hudson Valley, the housing landscape is increasingly difficult—and for many, urgent.
“The biggest obstacle is the absence of housing altogether,” Brody said. “The housing stock is limited and it’s become increasingly expensive.”
Population growth, post-pandemic migration, and constrained supply have intensified competition for already limited units—leaving the most vulnerable with the fewest options.
“A lot of the referrals that we get are for people who really are in dire straits,” he said.
Organizations like Search for Change are responding on multiple fronts—supporting individuals in crisis today while also working to expand long-term solutions, including the development of affordable and supportive housing.
Two Realities: Preventing Loss vs. Finding Housing
The need is not one-dimensional.
Some individuals can remain housed with the right intervention. Programs focused on eviction prevention and housing stabilization help cover back rent, utilities, and other essential costs.
But for many others, the situation is far more urgent.
“The greatest need we’re seeing is among people who need new housing,” Brody explained.
Even when financial support exists, major barriers remain:
- Limited available units
- Intense competition
- Landlords unwilling to rent to vulnerable populations
“The problem is finding those apartments and finding landlords who are willing to rent,” he added.
Where the Social Care Network Changes the Equation
The Social Care Network is designed to close critical gaps by identifying needs earlier and connecting individuals to services faster.
But just as important, it is changing how providers respond.
At Search for Change, participation in the SCN has expanded both reach and capability.
Initially focused on delivering services, the organization now also conducts screening and navigation, bringing support directly to individuals already in their care and extending services to a broader population of Medicaid members.
That shift is significant. It moves housing support from reactive to proactive—and from siloed to coordinated.
Speed Matters: Why Timing Can Determine Outcomes
In today’s housing market, timing is everything.
“If an opportunity arises, we have to act quickly. Otherwise, it’s gone.”
Apartments are often secured immediately, sometimes within hours. For providers working with vulnerable populations, delays can mean missed opportunities.
That’s where the Social Care Network and a new Housing Support Pilot are making a measurable difference.
From Connection to Action: A New Housing Support Pilot
To address one of the biggest barriers—lack of immediate funding—the Social Care Network launched a Housing Support Pilot that provides upfront, capacity-building funds to community-based organizations.
At Search for Change, the impact has been immediate.
“With the initial funding, we were able to go out and serve individuals right away,” Brody said.
The funding enables organizations to:
- Cover security deposits and first month’s rent
- Address urgent housing-related expenses
- Act quickly when housing opportunities arise
It also reduces financial strain on providers.
“HVCC has been wonderful about turning around reimbursement in a timely manner,” Brody noted. “But having that upfront funding allows us to move nimbly in a way we wouldn’t otherwise be able to.”
And in a market this competitive, that agility matters.
“It’s helped us secure apartments that people would not otherwise have gotten.”
What Fair Housing Means Today
Fair housing is not just about access to an apartment. It’s about access to a stable, healthy life.
“Fair housing means housing that is affordable, accessible, and enables people to have what they need to be healthy,” Brody said.
That includes:
- Safe, stable environments
- Connection to community and services
- The ability to live with dignity and independence
Where This Work Is Heading
Housing has always been foundational to well-being. What’s changing is how healthcare systems are responding.
Through partnerships between the Medicaid-funded Hudson Valley Social Care Network and organizations like Search for Change, the region is moving toward a more coordinated, responsive model—one that recognizes housing not as a separate issue, but as essential to health.
At HVCC, we believe that housing is more than a place to live. It’s where stability begins, health improves, and people have the chance to move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fair housing?
Fair housing means access to safe, affordable, and accessible housing without discrimination, in environments that support health and community connection.
Why is housing important for health?
Up to 80% of health outcomes are influenced by factors outside of medical care—including housing, food, and environment. Without stable housing, maintaining health becomes significantly more difficult.
What is the Social Care Network (SCN)?
The SCN bridges the gap between health care and social needs by connecting Medicaid members to essential health-related social services like housing support, food assistance, and transportation, through community-based organizations.
What housing services are available through the SCN?
Eligible members may receive rental assistance, utility support, housing navigation, and eviction prevention services.
How can someone access housing support through the SCN?
Medicaid members can access services by:
- Taking an eligibility self-screener on our website
- Asking their healthcare provider or care manager for a screening
- Contacting a participating community-based organization
- Calling local support lines like 211.
What is the Housing Supports Pilot?
The pilot provides upfront funding to organizations so they can quickly help Medicaid members with urgent housing needs like rent or utilities.
How does the pilot help organizations?
It allows providers to act immediately—without waiting for reimbursement—so they can secure housing opportunities before they are lost.
