Project Description: Abigail Reese’s Prescription Housing, an innovative, research-driven design proposal, reframes housing insecurity as a critical public health issue. Nearly one-third of emergency room visits in the United States are made by uninsured individuals, often resulting in cyclical and costly care that places a significant burden on taxpayers—ranging from $40,000 to $120,000 per individual annually. This project explores a transformative question: what if housing itself could be prescribed as a form of medical treatment?
Inspired by a Hawaii-based legislative initiative seeking to classify homelessness as a medical condition, this proposal presents a transitional medical housing model for the housing insecure population in Phoenix, Arizona. Grounded in evidence-based and patient-centered design strategies, this project demonstrates that providing stable housing can reduce annual healthcare costs to approximately $18,000 per individual, while improving overall health outcomes.

The proposed facility integrates housing with physical, mental, and socioeconomic support systems within a holistic healing environment. Designed to feel more like a home than an institution, the prescription housing project fosters dignity, belonging, and stability. Emphasis is placed on community-building, access to resources, and supportive services that empower residents to regain independence. By shifting the focus from reactive medical treatment to proactive, preventative care through housing, this Prescription Housing model offers a scalable, cost-effective solution to a complex societal challenge. It not only addresses immediate health concerns but also equips individuals with the tools and support necessary to achieve long-term recovery and reintegration, ultimately benefiting both individuals and the broader
healthcare system.