A much-anticipated affordable housing and health care community celebrated its grand opening in Jackson, Mississippi.
The Pearl features 76 affordable apartments for residents 55 and older along with an on-site community health clinic.
Gulf Coast Housing Partnership (GCHP) and Pearl Street Community Development Corp. (CDC) joined on the $28 million development that replaces an old Holiday Inn.
The Pearl is one of two pilot projects for developer GCHP’s Health + Housing concept. Health + Housing recognizes the significant role quality affordable housing and access to culturally competent health care has on an individual’s health outcomes. The health care delivery model is inspired by the learnings of Dr. Aaron Shirley, a Mississippi physician and visionary founder of the Jackson Medical Mall.
Health + Housing utilizes investments provided by health care payors to help fund projects like The Pearl. In Jackson, Medicaid Coordinated Care Organization UnitedHealthcare is supporting The Pearl with an investment of $3 million as part of its commitment to affordable housing and health care in Mississippi.
“This project is helping people live healthier lives by bringing essential resources to the communities we have the privilege to serve,” said J. Michael Parnell, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi. “We know the impact that factors like secure, affordable housing can have on overall health, and we are honored to be a part of this effort to bring new housing, health care, and employment opportunities to Mississippians.”
Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center (JHCHC) will operate the on-site Federally Qualified Health Center that will serve both residents of The Pearl and the surrounding community. JHCHC is the largest provider of primary health care services to low-income, underinsured, and uninsured individuals in Mississippi.
In addition to the on-site community health clinic, The Pearl is the first Fitwel-certified building in Mississippi. Fitwel is a building rating system created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide building design. At The Pearl, this includes the prominent placement of walkways and stairwells to encourage movement and improve the health of building occupants.
“Through our partnerships with health care providers we have grown to understand the importance that quality housing and access to health care have on an individual’s health outcomes,” said Kathy Laborde, GCHP president and CEO. “Our next step is to collect and evaluate data, which we expect will demonstrate to managed care organizations that routinely investing in affordable housing is valuable, not only for enhancing the lives of others but also for lowering health care costs.”
Funding support for The Pearl is also being provided by the city of Jackson, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, Federal Home Bank of Dallas, Hinds County Board of Supervisors, Mississippi Home Corp., Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VI, Regions Bank, and Trustmark Bank.
