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County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs
County News Center | Office of Communications and Public Affairs

The Hope Clinic Celebrates Six Months of Success

November 26, 2019

Since opening, the clinic has provided services to more than 350 individuals who experienced homelessness

Highlights

  • The Hope Clinic keeps people housed: It has seen 358 individual patients in 1,066 visits and only one person has returned to the streets. The clinic provides primary care, mental health and social services to people who have or are experiencing homelessness.
  • Comprehensive care: Of the Hope Clinic patients, 41 percent have been treated for psychiatric symptoms and 23 percent for substance use, which means these patients are getting care they need.
  • Right care, right place: The Hope Clinic provides primary care, mental health and social services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Patients who had been the highest utilizers of emergency department care have reduced their use of the emergency department by 45 percent in just six months. Getting care in a more appropriate setting is better for the patient and is more cost-effective. 
     

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA.  A successful partnership between Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services, Social Services and the Office of Supportive Housing is helping keep formerly homeless people in housing. Since opening in Downtown San Jose in May, 2019, the Hope Clinic demonstrates how the County of Santa Clara is success fully providing better care for some of the most vulnerable members of our community. So far it has seen 358 individual patients in 1,066 visits, with only one of these patients returning to the streets. The clinic provides primary care, mental health and social services to people who have or are experiencing homelessness. 

Getting people housed is the essential first step to fighting homelessness and providing health care is an absolute necessity. Because of the Hope Clinic, along with the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program, people are receiving regular primary care and their medical and behavioral health issues are being diagnosed and treated. About 31 percent of patients seen had been completely out of care when they came to the Hope Clinic. Their health had been entirely neglected or they were receiving all health care services at the emergency department or in jail.

Research has shown that homelessness and health care are intimately interwoven. Poor health is both a cause and a result of homelessness. Unfortunately, for the homeless, barriers to care are many. Homeless individuals who are ill and need treatment often do not receive medical care or do not receive care consistently. By eliminating barriers and stabilizing patients’ medical conditions, the Hope Clinic provides the groundwork so patients can be successful in attaining better health and breaking the cycle of homelessness.

Media Availability

Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hope Clinic, 725 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 300, San José
 

Available for interviews:
County of Santa Clara Supervisor Cindy Chavez; Dr. Huy Ngo, Hope Clinic Medical Director; and one patient. 

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Media Contact: Maury Kendall, Office (408) 793-6666, Cell (408) 691-9913.

Posted: November 26, 2019.