Montgomery County residents will gain expanded access to housing stability and health care support services as part of a major expansion of Maryland’s Assistance in Community Integration Services (ACIS) program, the Maryland Department of Health announced this week.
The Medicaid-funded program helps people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who also have significant health needs secure and maintain stable housing while connecting them with medical, behavioral health and social services. Under the expansion, Maryland will add 1,070 participant spaces statewide, increasing the program’s annual capacity from 620 to 1,690 participants. Montgomery County is among the jurisdictions that will receive additional services through the expansion.
State officials said the program has demonstrated strong results since launching as a pilot in 2017. According to an evaluation by The Hilltop Institute, more than 76% of participants achieved stable housing between 2019 and 2023, with nearly 80% of those securing permanent housing. The review also found reductions in hospital admissions and frequent emergency room visits among participants after enrollment in the program.
