At Threshold, we believe that stable housing is the foundation for building better lives and healthier communities. As Arizona’s first centralized landlord engagement program, launched by HOM, Inc., we’ve made it our mission to connect property owners with opportunities to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County.
Now, HOM, Inc. is proud to take its commitment one step further by joining the Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program, a groundbreaking initiative that pairs housing support with health care services to address the unique needs of Arizona’s most vulnerable populations.
In this blog, we’ll explore what H2O is, how it works, and how HOM, Inc. is playing a critical role in this innovative program.
A New Initiative
The Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Arizona that integrates housing support with health care services. Launched October 1, 2024, H2O is funded through a $110 million federal Medicaid grant over five years and aims to serve thousands of vulnerable individuals across the state.
What Is H2O?
H2O was created to address the interconnected challenges of homelessness and health care. This innovative program focuses on Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) members who are:
- Experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Living with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) designation.
- Managing a chronic health condition or recovering from recent justice system involvement.
Participants receive comprehensive support, including transitional housing assistance, financial help with deposits and utilities, home accessibility modifications, and connections to Medicaid-funded wraparound services. This holistic approach ensures that participants not only secure housing but also gain the medical and social support they need to maintain stability.
Why H2O Matters
The philosophy behind H2O is simple yet profound: Housing is health care. Safe, stable housing is essential to improving health outcomes and reducing the reliance on costly emergency services.
The program builds on the success of Arizona’s existing supportive housing initiatives, which have already demonstrated remarkable results, including an 89% reduction in behavioral health facility admissions among participants. By expanding access to housing and health care, H2O aims to increase preventative care, decrease hospitalizations, and provide long-term solutions for some of Arizona’s most vulnerable residents.
H2O is not just another housing program—it’s a model for addressing homelessness and health care challenges in a way that prioritizes dignity, stability, and comprehensive care. Its potential to transform lives and create systemic change makes it a critical tool in the fight against homelessness in Arizona.
Arizona’s groundbreaking H2O program combines housing support with health care services, creating a new model for stability and well-being.
Our Role in the H2O Program
As a leader in providing housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, HOM, Inc. is proud to play a vital role in the Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program. To ensure the success of this groundbreaking initiative, HOM, Inc. has appointed Trevor Thundershield as its new Housing and Health Opportunities Coordinator. With his extensive experience and dedication to housing stability, Trevor is uniquely positioned to lead the program’s efforts.
Meet Our New H2O Coordinator
Trevor Thundershield, a 10-year employee of HOM, Inc., is taking on the unique challenge of implementing the H2O program in partnership with HOM’s provider partners. In his previous role as Landlord Support Supervisor, Thundershield worked closely with property owners and operators to secure housing opportunities for those experiencing homelessness. His ability to build relationships, implement effective housing solutions, and navigate complex program requirements in practical situations makes him the ideal choice to lead this ambitious initiative.
“By building strong partnerships and maintaining a focus on both immediate housing needs and long-term support services, we can truly make a difference in the lives of individuals and families across Arizona” says Thundershield.
Trevor Thundershield is HOM, Inc.’s new H2O Coordinator.
Program Goals
As the Housing and Health Opportunities Coordinator, Thundershield is responsible for ensuring that H2O achieves its goals of reducing homelessness, improving health outcomes, and fostering stability. His role involves:
- Program Administration: Managing housing subsidies and coordinating short-term rental assistance, home modifications, move-in support, and connections to long-term housing vouchers. Trevor ensures that the program meets all federal and state standards while delivering timely and effective services.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Building and maintaining partnerships with public housing authorities, community organizations, and health care providers across Arizona. Trevor’s work facilitates seamless communication and coordination among all H2O stakeholders.
- Data and Reporting: Monitoring program outcomes to ensure compliance with Housing First and SAMHSA Permanent Supportive Housing standards. Trevor also provides critical reports to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Supportive Services Coordination: Overseeing the referral and eligibility process for participants, including verifying behavioral health care criteria. Trevor works to connect participants with Medicaid-funded wraparound services, ensuring that housing placements lead to long-term stability.
“Through Trevor’s leadership, HOM, Inc. is well-positioned to maximize the impact of the H2O program and help vulnerable populations across Arizona secure safe housing and access essential health services,” says Brian Petersen, President of HOM, Inc.
Together with the H2O program, HOM, Inc. is working to transform lives and build stronger, healthier communities.
How H2O Will Help
The Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program offers an innovative range of services designed to provide both housing stability and health care support to Arizona’s most vulnerable populations. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, H2O empowers individuals to regain stability and improve their overall well-being.
Services Available to Participants
Eligible participants in the H2O program can access a variety of services tailored to their unique needs, including:
- Transitional Housing Assistance: Temporary housing support for up to six months, ensuring participants have a safe place to stay while securing long-term housing.
- Move-In and Utility Assistance: Help with housing deposits, utility activation, and back payments to remove barriers to housing.
- Home Accessibility Modifications: Medically necessary improvements such as wheelchair ramps or bathroom modifications to create safe, livable spaces.
- Pre-Tenancy and Tenancy Support: Ongoing assistance with securing and maintaining housing, including help with applications, property owner and operator relationships, and navigating housing processes.
- Wraparound Services: Connection to Medicaid-funded health care and supportive services, such as mental health care, substance use treatment, and preventative health care.
“The vision behind the H2O program is simple: to offer a holistic approach to addressing homelessness by combining housing stability with essential health care services,” says Thundershield. “We know that housing is only part of the solution—true long-term stability comes from ensuring individuals have the support they need to thrive, whether that’s through medical care, mental health services, or practical assistance with daily life. By addressing both housing and health needs, we empower people to regain their independence, rebuild their lives, and achieve lasting stability.”
Through the H2O program, participants receive tailored support, including essential home modifications like wheelchair ramps and accessible bathrooms, ensuring safe and livable spaces.
Who Is Eligible for H2O?
The H2O program focuses on AHCCCS members facing significant challenges, including:
- Homelessness or housing instability.
- Serious Mental Illness (SMI) designation.
- Chronic health conditions.
- Recent involvement with the justice system, including those scheduled for release within 90 days or recently released.
By targeting these populations, H2O addresses critical gaps in both housing and health care systems, offering participants a chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and support.
The Bigger Picture
The impact of H2O extends beyond individual participants. By reducing homelessness and stabilizing housing, the program decreases reliance on costly emergency services and crisis interventions. Participants benefit from improved health outcomes, while communities experience the positive ripple effects of reduced homelessness and healthier residents.
With a vision of serving up to 8,000 individuals over five years, H2O is a transformative step forward in combating homelessness and addressing the complex challenges faced by Arizona’s most vulnerable populations. This innovative program is not only a lifeline for participants but also a model for integrating housing and health care on a systemic level.
Impact and Vision for the Future
The Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program represents a transformative approach to tackling homelessness in Arizona. By combining housing support with health care services, H2O not only provides immediate relief to those in need but also lays the groundwork for long-term stability and improved health outcomes.
Anticipated Outcomes
The H2O program is poised to create a lasting impact on both individual lives and the broader community. Key anticipated outcomes include:
- Increased Housing Stability: H2O provides housing assistance to thousands, ensuring they have a safe, stable place to live. By tackling housing instability directly, the program helps prevent recurring homelessness.
- Improved Health Outcomes: H2O connects participants with stable housing and essential health services. This helps them manage chronic conditions, mental health, and overall well-being. It reduces reliance on emergency services and improves both physical and mental health.
- Cost Savings for the Community: Stable housing means fewer hospital visits and less need for costly crisis care. H2O focuses on preventive services to lower health care costs and create a sustainable system for participants and the state.
- Reduction in Homelessness: H2O works to reduce homelessness in Arizona. It provides long-term support to individuals with serious mental illness and chronic health issues. This creates a clear path to stable, permanent housing.
H2O bridges housing support with health care services, offering immediate relief and building a foundation for lasting stability and better health.
Getting Started with H2O
As a property owner or operator, you are key to the success of the Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) program. By filling vacancies, you provide safe, stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The H2O program lets you partner with HOM to connect with vulnerable populations. It also offers support to help house them quickly and efficiently.
HOM, Inc. is committed to providing move-in assistance and inspections to streamline the process of getting tenants housed. Once your property is enrolled in the H2O program, HOM will ensure that the move-in process is smooth, and you will receive the support you need to maintain a successful tenancy.
To enable your properties for the H2O program, you must select the program in the voucher section of Padmission. This is done in Step 4: Program Participation, where you need to choose H2O as an eligible program for your property.
If you need assistance updating your property details in Padmission, you can follow the step-by-step instructions outlined in this helpful blog: Padmission Property Updates.
New to Padmission? Learn how to list your property with this comprehensive guide.
