Health Care & the Unhoused: How Care Hub Helps July 30, 2025 For unhoused members of our community, accessing appropriate health care is a significant challenge that can worsen their already vulnerable situations. This is especially difficult for those who are recovering from illness or injury. Samaritan’s Care Hub homeless outreach team is working hard to change that by approaching people on the streets to ask about their health and get them the timely care they need. Understand the Unique Needs of the Unhoused Care Hub serves Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties and works with various community partners to provide medical respite beds for those in need. A team of health care workers bridge a critical gap by creating a safe, healing environment where unhoused people can recover from surgeries and medical treatments. Imagine the difficulties of undergoing surgery, chemotherapy or managing a chronic illness while living in a car, tent or without shelter. Anita Earl, a licensed clinical social worker who spearheads the program, knows that exposure to the elements can make healing extremely difficult. People undergoing cancer treatment desperately need access to basic facilities like a restroom, and those who are pregnant require a safe, comfortable space to rest, off the cold ground. “Our team recognizes these urgent needs requiring immediate attention,” Earl said. “With conditions like diabetes, it’s not uncommon for those who are unhoused to experience severe wounds that need appropriate care.” Building a Network of Support Over the past few years, Care Hub has steadily expanded its medical respite program by partnering with InterCommunity Health Network CCO, Samaritan Evergreen Hospice and local organizations to secure a network of contracted beds. To serve the coastal community, Care Hub has teamed up with Coastal Phoenix Rising. The limited availability of beds coupled with the increasing number of unhoused individuals creates a constant demand. To help, Care Hub recently partnered with CHANCE Recovery in Albany to open five more beds. Each person placed in a medical respite bed is supported by a dedicated social worker trained in trauma informed care, as well as a nurse to manage medical needs. “The typical stay ranges from two to six weeks,” said Earl. Recovery Through Comprehensive Care The work of the Care Hub team is fueled by a commitment to equity and human dignity. Consider the case of an elderly man living in the woods during a harsh winter. He suffered significant injuries that were not severe enough for hospitalization, yet the circumstances of his life made recovery unattainable. A concerned nurse recognized that without proper care, he would struggle to heal. After being referred to Care Hub, this man was brought into the medical respite program. In this secure and supportive environment, his wounds began to heal, and he was connected to a primary care provider that led to the diagnosis of cancer. This intervention not only addressed the man’s immediate and underlying health issues, but also facilitated a pathway to transitional housing, where he now thrives with a community of support. “Our aim is to provide not just medical care, but also a pathway to recovery, stability and dignity for the unhoused community,” said Earl. “We are dedicated to providing compassionate care that significantly improves health outcomes and quality of life.” Learn how you can support this important program at samhealth.org/CareHub.
