A World-Class Pilot Program: Intergenerational Housing Model with Wraparound Services
Thu, Aug 22, 2024 -
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Posted by
Kim Byas, PhD
Can a housing model be a solution for reducing health disparities? In 2023, The Center for Health Affairs announced the launch of the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) Innovation Hub. Powered by Amazon Web Services, the Hub was created to analyze data and strategize solutions to health disparities.
The Hub’s first area of focus was to collect and analyze data on behavioral health and firearm violence and provide recommendations for achieving progress. Its report, published last fall, uncovered the prevalence of firearm suicides – especially in three Cleveland zip codes – and demonstrated a link between these deaths and a lack of access to jobs, housing and transportation. With this insight, the SDoH Innovation Hub is now focusing on the intergenerational housing model (IGM) with wraparound services as a potential solution for firearm suicides and other health disparities.
What follows is a discussion about intergenerational housing with wraparound services and how it can be a holistic model for addressing complex barriers that perpetuate health disparities such as firearm violence and suicides.
What is the Intergenerational Housing Model with Wraparound Services?
The IGM with wraparound services is a residential model that integrates people of different ages into a single living environment. This intentional design promotes social interaction and mutual support across generations. The provision of social and healthcare services onsite is another key feature of the pilot for Cleveland.
The IGM creates an intentional community with shared outdoor green space and indoor structures that foster communal activities and support systems that span age groups. As such, the IGM with wraparound services is poised to demonstrate the positive impact of an intentional community created to foster personal health and population well-being—a fact that is clearly demonstrated in the Blue Zone studies.
How Does Intergenerational Housing Differ from Other Housing Models?
Unlike multigenerational housing, where multiple generations of a single family live together, intergenerational communities are intentionally structured to foster relationships between non-familial residents—including older adults, younger families, and individuals at different life stages.
The intergenerational model focuses on breaking down structural barriers that lead to age segregation and social isolation. It emphasizes the importance of shared community spaces such as community gardens, recreational areas, and communal dining facilities where residents of all ages can interact and support one another.
Where are Existing Intergenerational Housing Models?
Several multigenerational communities already exist in Cleveland, such as Kinship House and Griot Village. As for IGMs in the U.S., there are several—including the Nathalie Salmon House in Chicago, IL, and a similar community in Seattle, WA, and Salem, OR. Internationally, IGMs have thrived in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Humanitas in Deventer, Netherlands, for example, integrates students with elderly residents. This created a mutually beneficial environment where the young help the old with technology and social engagement while the elderly provide wisdom and support.
What Challenges Might the Intergenerational Housing Model Face?
While the benefits of intergenerational housing are well-documented, there are several challenges that must be addressed for these communities to succeed. These include the high cost of constructing and maintaining IGM facilities—especially when incorporating advanced technologies and sustainable building practices. Critics may argue that the upfront investment required for smart housing units equipped with internet access, green spaces, and communal areas is prohibitively expensive. What such critics fail to include, however, are investments that lead to long-term savings through increased energy efficiency, better health outcomes, reduced maintenance costs, and improved resident well-being.
Another challenge is ensuring that the integration of services like healthcare, childcare, and job training within IGM communities is both effective and sustainable. With forethought and planning, existing models demonstrate that these services can significantly improve outcomes for residents. For example, providing local access to transportation helps to reduce barriers to access—particularly for low-income individuals who might otherwise struggle to travel for essential services
How Does IGM with Wraparound Services Address Firearm Suicide?
Intergenerational housing with wraparound services is shown to be effective in addressing the root causes of firearm suicide linked to social vulnerabilities such as housing insecurity, unemployment, lack of transportation, and social isolation—factors exacerbated by structural racism and historical redlining. By offering stable, secure housing with integrated wraparound services, IGM communities can provide the support needed to prevent deaths of despair.
The planned IGM with wraparound services will focus on residents living in Cleveland's 44102, 44105, and 44108 zip codes that indicate high rates of firearm suicides. By addressing the underlying social and economic vulnerabilities, IGM with wraparound services will provide access to housing while also offering job training, transportation, and behavioral health services—all within a supportive intergenerational environment designed to reduce isolation and increase economic stability.
What Is the Future of Intergenerational Housing in Cleveland?
The SDoH Innovation Hub’s pilot IGM with wraparound services in Cleveland will demonstrate the importance of providing affordable housing while intentionally integrating essential services such as health care, education, job training, and environmental justice initiatives. This model is intended to create a blueprint for global replication and demonstrate the human and social benefits of intentional community design and service integration that address deep-rooted social and economic disparities.
The IGM pilot program with wraparound services is set to launch in 2025. This complex work will involve the construction of technologically smart and environmentally sustainable housing units that are affordable and accessible to low-income residents. IGM will foster community resilience and economic mobility by addressing structural barriers to housing, employment, and health.
What Is the Role of Stakeholders in the IGM with Wraparound Services?
The success of the IGM with wraparound services relies heavily on the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders—including government agencies, private sector companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions. For example, local governments play a crucial role in securing funding, facilitating land acquisition, and supporting the construction of new housing units. They also help align the goals of IGM projects with broader public policy objectives, such as reducing poverty and enhancing public health.
Corporations and the private sector can contribute by fulfilling their corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives by investing in community-oriented projects like IGM that foster economic stability and growth. These investments enhance a company's image and contribute to the long-term viability of the local workforce by creating stable, supportive communities.
Educational institutions also have a significant role to play, particularly in research and development related to urban planning, social work, and gerontology. They can provide opportunities for students to engage with IGM communities through internships and service learning, thereby enriching the educational experience while contributing to the success of the IGM model
How Will the Cleveland IGM with Wraparound Pilot Be Evaluated?
The Cleveland IGM with wraparound services pilot program will undergo a rigorous evaluation process to assess its impact on residents and the broader community. This evaluation will include surveys, focus groups, and other tools to measure outcomes related to health, social interactions, and economic mobility. The findings will be compiled into a detailed report that highlights successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Based on the evaluation, the SDoH Innovation Hub and its partners will develop strategies for scaling the IGM with wraparound services to other regions. This may involve refining the model based on feedback from residents and stakeholders, securing additional funding, and establishing new partnerships to support expansion
Intergenerational housing with wraparound services represents a transformative approach to addressing some of the most pressing social issues facing communities today. By thoughtfully and intentionally creating environments where different age groups can live together and support one another, intergenerational housing with wraparound services will enhance the quality of life for residents and address deep-rooted social determinants of health such as housing insecurity and social isolation.
In summary, this pilot program in Cleveland is poised to serve as a model for other cities and demonstrate the power and impact of intentional design and integrated services that can create vibrant, resilient communities. With the support of stakeholders from across multiple sectors, IGM with wraparound services has the potential to redefine how we think about housing, community, and social support services in the 21st century.