What if we could test the potential impacts of housing and health policy decisions before implementing them? 

iHOUSE (Improving Health and Housing Outcomes through a Simulation and Economic Model) is a simulation model designed to examine how changes in housing, health services, and treatment programs may affect people experiencing homelessness, particularly those with HIV and/or substance use disorders. Using longitudinal data and research evidence, the model simulates housing and health trajectories within Denver’s housing and homelessness system and allows researchers to compare potential interventions, investment strategies, and trade-offs over time. 

Community and stakeholder expertise has been central to model development. More than 100 stakeholders have contributed knowledge about how Denver’s housing and service systems operate in practice, helping refine model structure, assumptions, pathways, and priority outcomes. 

iHOUSE is designed as an analytic and decision-support tool that can support policy-relevant research, identify important evidence gaps, and help researchers and community partners explore real-world “what if?” questions. 

Interested in exploring the model, or discussing research and collaboration opportunities? Contact COPHI@cuanschutz.edu. 

The iHOUSE Model research project is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (5R01DA061228; Principal Investigator: Joshua Barocas) within the National Institutes of Health.