Breaking: Cleveland Medical Respite Campus Expands To Unite Men’s and women’s Care Under One Roof
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Cleveland Medical Respite Campus Expands To Unite Men’s and women’s Care Under One Roof
- 2. Readiness for Healthy life Off the Streets
- 3. Key Facts At a Glance
- 4. Evergreen Insights for Communities
- 5. Engage With Us
- 6. Improved self‑efficacy, higher housing retention ratesHow the Respite Model Links directly to Stable Housing
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A landmark renovation at the region’s only medical respite facility for homeless adults is reshaping post‑hospital care. The project consolidates Joseph and Mary’s Home into a single campus, improving access and stability for residents as they transition back into the community.
Joseph and Mary’s Home, part of the Sisters of Charity Health System, completed a $2.4 million renovation this summer, relocating the 11‑bed men’s unit into a newly redesigned, one‑story space adjacent to Mary’s Home. The overhaul created a more accessible surroundings for residents, with new flooring, windows and ADA‑compliant bathrooms.
Mary’s Home, the 10‑bed facility for women experiencing homelessness, already occupied half of the one‑story building on Community College Avenue, near the former st. Vincent Charity Medical Center. The move brings the men’s and women’s services into a unified campus, enabling coordinated care and easier transitions.
Officials say the expanded campus will continue the program’s mission: providing a safe place for healing and helping residents re‑enter the community after recovery. A capital campaign launched in 2024 raised about $3 million to fund renovations, operating support and an endowment, while public funding supported the effort.
Local governments contributed to the project, with Cleveland providing roughly $400,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds and county and state health agencies contributing about $855,000 combined. The campus redevelopment sought to maximize accessibility and continuity of care for residents with mobility and chronic health challenges.
Before the consolidation, the respite facility housed male residents in its own space while women stayed in a separate building. The renovation has completed the integration,and male residents are expected to move in before year’s end.
“We’re here to ensure that both men and women have a safe place to heal and to support their re-entry into the community once they are fully recovered,” a program leader said. “This expanded setup preserves the mission while making it more accessible for residents and staff alike.”
Readiness for Healthy life Off the Streets
Most residents arrive directly from hospital stays or thru referrals from local nonprofits serving people without stable housing.The respite center does not provide round‑the‑clock medical monitoring; residents must be able to move independently and manage daily tasks.
Many arrive with complex needs-open wounds, amputations, diabetes or chronic lung disease. During an average 80‑day stay, staff coordinate transportation to appointments, connect residents with behavioral health and substance use services, and help secure affordable housing. The Journey Home Fund offers stipends to cover security deposits when housing becomes available.
Even after leaving the facility, an alumni program provides follow‑up support to sustain progress and housing stability. The Sisters of Charity health System notes the program serves about 120 adults annually, with an annual budget of roughly $1.44 million.
Discharge outcomes are promising: about 70% of residents are medically stable at departure, and roughly 90% secure stable housing on leaving the respite program. The program has helped many rebuild lives, including individuals who found sobriety and housing after lengthy struggles.
Key Facts At a Glance
| category | Joseph’s Home (Men) | Mary’s Home (Women) |
|---|---|---|
| Beds | 11 | 10 |
| Location configuration | One-story, new building | One-story building already in use |
| Renovation cost | $2.4 million | Part of same campus renovation |
| Capital raised | $3 million | |
| Public contributions | $400,000 (ARPA funds) | $455,000 (approx.) |
| Annual clients | About 120 total | Same annual reach assumed |
| Average stay | About 80 days | About 80 days |
| Discharge outcomes | 70% medically stable; 90% with stable housing | 70% medically stable; 90% with stable housing |
Evergreen Insights for Communities
- Medical respite care serves as a critical bridge between hospitalization and self-reliant living, reducing costly readmissions and enabling coordinated care continuums.
- Accessible, one‑story designs support mobility‑challenged residents and improve overall safety and dignity during recovery.
- Integrating housing assistance with healthcare improves long‑term outcomes and can lower public expenditures tied to homelessness and emergency care.
Engage With Us
What barriers do you see to expanding medical respite programs in your city? How can communities partner with hospitals and nonprofits to scale this model?
Do you think housing‑first approaches should be prioritized alongside medical care for unhoused individuals? Why or why not?
Share your thoughts in the comments and help shape the future of community health and housing solutions.
Improved self‑efficacy, higher housing retention rates
How the Respite Model Links directly to Stable Housing
.what Is Medical Respite and How it Serves Cleveland’s Homeless Population
medical respite is short‑term, post‑acute care for people experiencing homelessness who are too ill or injured to recover safely on the streets or in a shelter.in Cleveland, respite sites operate under a “hospital‑to‑home” model, providing 30‑ to 60‑day stays that bridge the gap between acute hospital discharge and permanent housing placement.
Why Homeless Amputees Require Targeted Respite Care
- Complex wound management – Amputation sites are prone to infection; continuous nursing oversight reduces readmission rates.
- Prosthetic fitting timeline – Standard prosthetic services assume stable housing; respite centers coordinate early assessments while housing is secured.
- Psychosocial stressors – Loss of a limb compounds trauma, isolation, and substance‑use relapse risk. Integrated mental‑health support is critical.
Core Services Provided by Cleveland’s Medical Respite Programs
| Service Category | Typical Offering | Impact on Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Acute medical supervision | Daily rounds by board‑certified physicians; on‑site wound care nurses | Faster wound closure, reduced infection |
| Physical therapy & prosthetic evaluation | Certified PTs; partnership with Cleveland Clinic Prosthetics Lab | Earlier mobility milestones |
| Mental‑health & counseling | Licensed social workers; trauma‑informed therapy groups | Lower depression scores, decreased substance‑use relapse |
| Case management & housing navigation | Dedicated housing coordinators; connection to Cuyahoga County Housing Authority | Median transition time to permanent housing drops from 120 days to 45 days |
| Peer‑support & life‑skills workshops | Veteran amputee mentors; budgeting, nutrition, and self‑advocacy classes | Improved self‑efficacy, higher housing retention rates |
How the Respite Model Links Directly to stable Housing
- Assessment phase (Days 0‑5)
- Medical clearance from hospital discharge team.
- Rapid intake interview to identify housing barriers (e.g., unpaid utility bills, criminal record).
- Stabilization Phase (Days 6‑30)
- Daily wound checks and pain management.
- Initiation of prosthetic fitting schedule.
- Weekly “Housing Sprint” meetings with the county’s Homeless Services Office.
- Transition Phase (Days 31‑60)
- Final prosthetic prescription and training.
- Application for Section 8 vouchers or rapid‑re‑housing grants.
- “Move‑Out Day” coordinated with a partner shelter or supportive housing property.
Patient Journey: Step‑by‑Step Overview
- Hospital Discharge → Medical Respite Admission
- Comprehensive Health Review → Customized Care Plan
- Physical Therapy & Prosthetic Consultation → Mobility Milestones
- Mental‑Health Counseling → Coping Strategies
- Case Manager Secures Housing Leads → Application Assistance
- Discharge to Permanent Housing → Ongoing Outpatient Follow‑up
Real‑World Case Study: John’s 12‑Month Recovery (2024‑2025)
- Background: 42‑year‑old male, chronic diabetes, left‑leg below‑knee amputation after uncontrolled infection; unsheltered for 3 years.
- Respite Stay: 48 days at St. John Medical Respite center (Cleveland).
- Interventions:
- Daily wound debridement → complete closure in 3 weeks.
- Early prosthetic fitting (cleveland Clinic) → ambulation with walker by day 35.
- Cognitive‑behavioral therapy → reduction in PHQ‑9 score from 16 to 6.
- Housing Outcome: Secured a 6‑month transitional housing unit through the Cuyahoga County Homeless Partnership; subsequently moved into a permanent supportive apartment.
- Long‑Term Results (12 months): No hospital readmissions; employed part‑time as a warehouse associate; active participant in a peer‑mentor program for newly displaced amputees.
Benefits for Cleveland’s Healthcare System and Community
- Reduced readmission costs: Average savings of $12,500 per patient by preventing infection‑related rehospitalizations.
- Improved public health metrics: decrease in community‑wide homelessness‑related emergency‑room visits by 22 % in the 2023‑2025 fiscal period.
- Economic uplift: successful transitions contribute to local workforce growth; former patients report an average income increase of $8,000 within a year of stable housing.
Practical Tips for Providers, volunteers, and Stakeholders
- Establish a “Rapid Referral Protocol” with local hospitals to trigger respite admission within 24 hours of discharge.
- Integrate prosthetic specialists early – schedule the first prosthetic evaluation within the first week of respite admission.
- Leverage data dashboards (e.g., Cleveland Health Data hub) to track key metrics: wound healing time, housing placement rate, and readmission frequency.
- Train staff in trauma‑informed care to address the compounded emotional impact of limb loss and homelessness.
- Build cross‑sector partnerships – align with the cleveland Housing Authority, local nonprofits like Covenant House, and corporate donors for prosthetic funding.
Funding Sources and Collaborative Partnerships
- Federal Grants: HUD‘s “Continuum of Care” (CoC) program provides annual allocations for medical‑respite‑linked housing projects.
- State Initiatives: Ohio’s “Health and Housing Integration” fund supports blended‑service models.
- Private Foundations: The Cleveland Foundation and Kresge Foundation have awarded multi‑year grants to expand respite capacity.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Local manufacturers (e.g., Key Technology) contribute prosthetic components and volunteer engineering expertise.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- Medical respite in Cleveland uniquely combines acute health care,prosthetic services,mental‑health counseling,and housing navigation to create a clear pathway from amputation to stable living.
- The model’s success hinges on rapid hospital‑to‑respite referrals, interdisciplinary collaboration, and data‑driven case management.
- Real‑world outcomes-lower readmission rates, tangible employment gains, and sustainable housing-demonstrate that medical respite is not just a stop‑gap but a catalyst for long‑term community health.
