{
  "id": 11241165,
  "title": "Toronto hospital to greatly expand permanent housing program that reduces ER visits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/toronto-hospital-to-greatly-expand-permanent-housing-program-that",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-01T17:18:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12084251/toronto-hospital-to-greatly-expand-permanent-housing-program-that-reduces-er-visits/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Toronto hospital network plans to significantly expand its unique permanent housing program for homeless individuals who frequent the emergency department. Dunn House, which currently houses 51 residents, has demonstrated success with its model. The initiative will now aim to assist 300 people. Dr. Andrew Boozary from the University Hospital Network emphasizes that this approach is both humane and cost-effective. Early data indicates that 48 residents of Dunn House visited emergency rooms 52% less frequently annually after moving in, with a 79% reduction in their length of hospital stays upon admission. The 48 patients incurred $2.1 million in hospital expenses over a year before their relocation to Dunn House, but the hospital saved $1.66 million in the subsequent year. The project will continue as a joint effort between the federal and provincial governments, the city, and the hospital.",
  "summary": "Dr. Andrew Boozary of the University Hospital Network says it's a more humane approach to helping the vulnerable and is also cost effective.",
  "key_points": [
    "Toronto hospital expands permanent housing program for 300 homeless individuals.",
    "Dunn House residents had 52% fewer ER visits and 79% shorter hospital stays.",
    "Joint effort funded by federal, provincial, city, and hospital resources."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Toronto hospital to greatly expand permanent housing program that reduces ER visits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/toronto-hospital-to-greatly-expand-permanent-housing-program-that-11243748",
        "published": "2026-10-01T17:02:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Toronto hospital to greatly expand permanent housing program that reduces ER visits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/toronto-hospital-to-greatly-expand-permanent-housing-program-that-11243440",
        "published": "2026-10-01T17:18:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CityNews",
        "title": "Toronto hospital to greatly expand permanent housing program that reduces ER visits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/toronto-hospital-to-greatly-expand-permanent-housing-program-that-11249906",
        "published": "2026-10-01T17:41:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}