Note: CAHH is currently on pause as of March 2025.
CAHH is a bold approach to address the complex intersection of disparities in housing, individual health, and population health by pioneering the adaptation of an internationally recognized health improvement project.
Since 2022, CAHH has brought meaningful improvements to the lives of nearly 800 individuals living in a low-income, predominantly Black community where residents have advocated for better conditions in their homes and equitable health outcomes for decades.
At least 30% of heads of households reported asthma-related ER visits in the 6 months prior to their home being surveyed and 20% reported a trip or fall at home that required medical attention. These are just two indicators of how prevalent home-related illness and injuries are in the community, which are considerably more effective to prevent than treat. A single prevented ER visit would nearly cover the cost of a CAHH home repair during this phase of the project, not to mention relieving the burdens that come from not being able to safely shower, cook, or use the bathroom at home.
CAHH employs Brownsville resident-led teams to identify pressing health and safety-related home defects and quickly perform repairs, at no cost to residents.
Common issues include fixing holes/ cracks in ceilings to eliminate entryways for pests; repairing broken stairs to reduce fall risks; and installing new lighting and locks to improve home security. Our overarching goal is to create healthier, safer living spaces for Brownsville residents and, eventually, to have CAHH approved as a health benefit under Medicaid.
Important partners in our work include United HealthCare, Robin Hood Foundation, Community Healthcare Network, One Brooklyn Health, BMS Family Health and Wellness Centers, and Brownsville Neighborhood Health Action Center.
