Margot Kushel MD
@mkushel.bsky.social
Physician, researcher. Professor of Medicine at UCSF. Director of @ucsfbhhi.bsky.social and UCSF @arcforhealth.bsky.social. Passionate about ending homelessness. Views my own.
Pinned
Margot Kushel MD
@mkushel.bsky.social
· May 29
How a Generation’s Struggle Led to a Record Surge in Homelessness
www.nytimes.com
📣Older adults are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness. This @nytimes.com makes the crisis vivid. Proposed cuts & policy changes will make this problem so much worse. @ucsfbhhi.bsky.social Proud to have contributed 🧵 1/x www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...
Reposted by Margot Kushel MD
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
December 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
A Hampton Inn in Asheville just canceled my family's reservation because our address (incorrectly) showed Asheville—and the hotel bars locals within 50 miles.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
When I asked why, they said, "because of our homeless population," adding that most hotels here have similar policies.
This is outrageous.
What would be the real world impacts of the loss of federal funding for Housing First programs? We modeled it: an additional 44,590 ppl beyond anticipated growth due to economic factors. @jabarocas.bsky.social @kirkfetters.bsky.social @ucsfbhhi.bsky.social url: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Potential Changes in US Homelessness by Ending Federal Support for Housing First Programs
This decision analytical model estimates the change in the number of people experiencing homelessness in a year following termination of federal support for Housing First programs.
jamanetwork.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
What would be the real world impacts of the loss of federal funding for Housing First programs? We modeled it: an additional 44,590 ppl beyond anticipated growth due to economic factors. @jabarocas.bsky.social @kirkfetters.bsky.social @ucsfbhhi.bsky.social url: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
“There is no place for us” by @brian-goldstone.bsky.social IS one of the must reads of the year.
@nytimes.com & President Obama and many others agree too!
If you haven’t read it yet, please do!
@nytimes.com & President Obama and many others agree too!
If you haven’t read it yet, please do!
December 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
“There is no place for us” by @brian-goldstone.bsky.social IS one of the must reads of the year.
@nytimes.com & President Obama and many others agree too!
If you haven’t read it yet, please do!
@nytimes.com & President Obama and many others agree too!
If you haven’t read it yet, please do!
Sending love to all. When will this end? How much is enough?
December 13, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Sending love to all. When will this end? How much is enough?
Reposted by Margot Kushel MD
Interested in the overlap between poor health & homelessness-- and how to improve health among people experiencing homelessness> Interested in how health &housing systems should collaborate to end homelessness?
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Webinar: Understanding Health & Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. These health challenges make it harder for people to obtain and retain ...
homelessness.ucsf.edu
December 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Interested in the overlap between poor health & homelessness-- and how to improve health among people experiencing homelessness> Interested in how health &housing systems should collaborate to end homelessness?
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Interested in the overlap between poor health & homelessness-- and how to improve health among people experiencing homelessness> Interested in how health &housing systems should collaborate to end homelessness?
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Webinar: Understanding Health & Homelessness | Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative
People experiencing homelessness in California face high rates of chronic illness and disability, and numerous barriers to care. These health challenges make it harder for people to obtain and retain ...
homelessness.ucsf.edu
December 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Interested in the overlap between poor health & homelessness-- and how to improve health among people experiencing homelessness> Interested in how health &housing systems should collaborate to end homelessness?
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
Join us today! Noon PT!
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
homelessness.ucsf.edu/calendar/web...
The caveats: We recruited older adults who were homeless at any point in their journey, which biases toward those with long-term homelessness. (Had we found people right as they became homeless for the first time, perhaps housing outcomes would be better).
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
5/fin
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
5/fin
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The caveats: We recruited older adults who were homeless at any point in their journey, which biases toward those with long-term homelessness. (Had we found people right as they became homeless for the first time, perhaps housing outcomes would be better).
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
5/fin
@ucsfbhhi.bsky.social
5/fin
☑️ The irony: Last week, the Trump administration announced their new policy to dismantle long-term housing supports---which will send many seniors, people with disabilities--back into the streets.
4/5
4/5
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
☑️ The irony: Last week, the Trump administration announced their new policy to dismantle long-term housing supports---which will send many seniors, people with disabilities--back into the streets.
4/5
4/5
✅ The take-home: Homelessness is dynamic. People move in and out of housing. Housing Vouchers (for some, PSH, for others, simply a housing voucher) keep people housed.
3/5
3/5
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
✅ The take-home: Homelessness is dynamic. People move in and out of housing. Housing Vouchers (for some, PSH, for others, simply a housing voucher) keep people housed.
3/5
3/5
✅ The good news: 80% returned to housing (returning to housing with family or friends was the most common)
✅ The bad news: Half of them returned to homelessness!
✅ What kept people housed: HOUSING VOUCHERS
2/5
✅ The bad news: Half of them returned to homelessness!
✅ What kept people housed: HOUSING VOUCHERS
2/5
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
✅ The good news: 80% returned to housing (returning to housing with family or friends was the most common)
✅ The bad news: Half of them returned to homelessness!
✅ What kept people housed: HOUSING VOUCHERS
2/5
✅ The bad news: Half of them returned to homelessness!
✅ What kept people housed: HOUSING VOUCHERS
2/5
📢 New paper alert:
We examined long-term housing results among a cohort of older homeless adults.
Full article: Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
1/5
We examined long-term housing results among a cohort of older homeless adults.
Full article: Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
1/5
Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study
Homelessness is dynamic; some individuals cycle between homelessness and housing. In a longitudinal study of 411 adults aged 50 and older who were homeless at study enrollment, we examined the prev...
www.tandfonline.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
📢 New paper alert:
We examined long-term housing results among a cohort of older homeless adults.
Full article: Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
1/5
We examined long-term housing results among a cohort of older homeless adults.
Full article: Factors Associated With Exits From and Returns to Homelessness Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
1/5
Reposted by Margot Kushel MD
I’m heartsick to hear that the incomparable Alice Wong has passed. Her loss will be felt keenly, by many, and for a long time. She is a force, a generous leader and storyteller, and an oracle for disabled futures. Much love to Alice and to all our crip kin and comrades. ❤️🩹
November 15, 2025 at 5:47 AM
I’m heartsick to hear that the incomparable Alice Wong has passed. Her loss will be felt keenly, by many, and for a long time. She is a force, a generous leader and storyteller, and an oracle for disabled futures. Much love to Alice and to all our crip kin and comrades. ❤️🩹
Reposted by Margot Kushel MD
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...
423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
First, they came for....We all know how this ends.
/fin
/fin
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
First, they came for....We all know how this ends.
/fin
/fin
Don't let this cruel up is down administration trick you into thinking that internment camps are compassionate. Don't let them hijack your frustration into a total abdication of rights. Don't leave those with the least power in internment camps.
7/x
7/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Don't let this cruel up is down administration trick you into thinking that internment camps are compassionate. Don't let them hijack your frustration into a total abdication of rights. Don't leave those with the least power in internment camps.
7/x
7/x
Yes--we are all frustrated with people left to die on the streets. You know how to fix that? Provide people with the services they need to thrive in the housing they need to end their homelessness.
6/x
6/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Yes--we are all frustrated with people left to die on the streets. You know how to fix that? Provide people with the services they need to thrive in the housing they need to end their homelessness.
6/x
6/x
So why are they cutting the funding for treatment?
The irony of cutting funds for housing---that is actually at the heart of homelessness and replacing it with a camp on the outskirts of town. Out of site, out of mind. There is NO way to end homelessness without housing.
5/x
The irony of cutting funds for housing---that is actually at the heart of homelessness and replacing it with a camp on the outskirts of town. Out of site, out of mind. There is NO way to end homelessness without housing.
5/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
So why are they cutting the funding for treatment?
The irony of cutting funds for housing---that is actually at the heart of homelessness and replacing it with a camp on the outskirts of town. Out of site, out of mind. There is NO way to end homelessness without housing.
5/x
The irony of cutting funds for housing---that is actually at the heart of homelessness and replacing it with a camp on the outskirts of town. Out of site, out of mind. There is NO way to end homelessness without housing.
5/x
The irony of cutting Medicaid--which pays for actual treatment that people need (mental health and substance use services) to drag people out of site, beyond the legal system, with no due process. What "treatment" will they get? YES--people need treatment.
4/x
4/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The irony of cutting Medicaid--which pays for actual treatment that people need (mental health and substance use services) to drag people out of site, beyond the legal system, with no due process. What "treatment" will they get? YES--people need treatment.
4/x
4/x
The conflation of homelessness with mental health & substance use problems is a ploy to exploit your frustration and fear. (And yes, there is an enormous overlap, but it is bidirectional). We do KNOW how to treat these disabilities.
3/x
3/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The conflation of homelessness with mental health & substance use problems is a ploy to exploit your frustration and fear. (And yes, there is an enormous overlap, but it is bidirectional). We do KNOW how to treat these disabilities.
3/x
3/x
Couched in the language of compassion, the proposal for relocating people who experience unsheltered homelessness is no different than internment camps of yesteryear. No civil liberties, no choice, no due process. Locked away in a place out of site. To what end?
2/x
2/x
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Couched in the language of compassion, the proposal for relocating people who experience unsheltered homelessness is no different than internment camps of yesteryear. No civil liberties, no choice, no due process. Locked away in a place out of site. To what end?
2/x
2/x
This @nytimes.com piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
This NYTimes piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
1/x 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
This NYTimes piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
1/x 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This @nytimes.com piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
This NYTimes piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
1/x 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
This NYTimes piece on the "Vision for Homelessness" in Utah should horrify all people.
1/x 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/u...
Community safety comes from having a healthy democracy, held in check by a free press...
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Community safety comes from having a healthy democracy, held in check by a free press...
Community safety comes from ensuring that everyone can pray to the whomever they want, whenever they want (or not)---and not fear being shot. Community safety comes from allowing everyone to live as their authentic self, loving who they want, how they want.
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Community safety comes from ensuring that everyone can pray to the whomever they want, whenever they want (or not)---and not fear being shot. Community safety comes from allowing everyone to live as their authentic self, loving who they want, how they want.
Community safety comes from ensuring that we prevent and control infectious disease. Community safety comes from ensuring that have agency over their reproductive choices. Community safety comes from ensuring that children can go to school without fearing being shot.
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Community safety comes from ensuring that we prevent and control infectious disease. Community safety comes from ensuring that have agency over their reproductive choices. Community safety comes from ensuring that children can go to school without fearing being shot.
Community safety comes from ensuring that everyone has a safe and secure place to live. Community safety comes from ensuring that we have well-funded, high functioning schools. Community safety comes from ensuring everyone has access to the healthcare that they need.
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Community safety comes from ensuring that everyone has a safe and secure place to live. Community safety comes from ensuring that we have well-funded, high functioning schools. Community safety comes from ensuring everyone has access to the healthcare that they need.