Home / Health / Iowa City to Open Clinic for Unhoused
Iowa City to Open Clinic for Unhoused
16 Jul
Summary
- Johnson County considers a primary care clinic for unhoused individuals in Iowa City.
- The clinic may open by April 2027 in the winter shelter.
- Grant application seeks over $3 million annually for four years.
Johnson County is moving forward with plans to establish Iowa's first primary care clinic dedicated to serving unhoused individuals. The clinic is slated for potential opening by April 2027, with a proposed location in the current winter shelter.
Supervisors have committed to lease negotiations with Iowa City for the GuideLink Center space. This clinic is a component of a larger grant application aimed at securing substantial funding for services targeting unhoused individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders.
The grant, if awarded, would provide over $3 million annually for four years. The city's application, submitted recently, targets a U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration initiative. The clinic aims to provide care for acute and chronic conditions two days a week.
Beyond direct medical care, the grant would also support street outreach, mental health services, and rental assistance. This comprehensive approach seeks to prevent costly emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, offering a critical safety net for a vulnerable population.
