A pilot program to address tenants’ complex social, psychological, and medical needs in social housing: lessons learned

ABSTRACT In this City Short article, we present the case of a pilot program in Hamilton, Ontario, that created a “hub” of services to address the social determinants of health for low-income individuals residing in social housing. Individuals residing in social housing often face multiple, complex challenges that impact their health and wellbeing. Providing services and supports directly within social housing buildings has been one proposed solution, however our understanding of best practices in this area remains underdeveloped. We aim to address this gap by describing the pilot program and the impact to tenants. Lastly, we share important lessons learned for others aiming to engage in similar programs.