Low Acuity Transitional Services (LATS) Program
How LATS Works
When someone experiencing homelessness leaves the hospital, they often don’t have a safe place to rest and recover. The LATS Program provides:
- A private room to heal
- Medical check-ins 3-5 days a week
- Hot meals, hygiene supplies, and laundry services
- Support with finding stable housing
- 24-hour staff on-site for assistance
- A stay of up to 120 days
Who Can Stay at LATS?
Patients must meet these criteria:
- Over 18 years old
- Experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- A resident of Washington County or have support in the area
- Referred by one of these hospitals:
- Hillsboro Medical Center
- Providence St. Vincent
- Kaiser Permanente West Side
- Medically stable and able to care for themselves with some support
What LATS Is (and Isn’t)
LATS is a short-term place for healing, not a long-term care facility or a shelter. Patients in the program receive basic medical care, help with medications, and support in finding a permanent home. However, the program does not provide 24/7 nursing care, hospice care, or emergency medical services.
How to Get Referred
Only hospitals can refer patients to the LATS Program. If you or someone you know needs shelter or housing support but isn’t leaving the hospital, call 211 or email [email protected] to learn about available resources.
At Virginia Garcia, we are committed to making sure every patient gets the care and support they need. Through LATS, we are working to create healthier futures for those who need it most.
LATS (Low Acuity Transitional Services) FAQs
What is LATS?
Virginia Garcia has partnered with Washington County Supportive Housing Services (SHS) and Greater Good NW (GGNW) to open 10 beds in a large shelter in Hillsboro (located in the former Econo Lodge on 10th Ave) to provide care for patients who are experiencing homelessness and being discharged from the hospital or emergency department. These services are traditionally referred to as “recuperative care” or “respite care”.
Why is VG doing this?
Lack of stable housing leads to higher rates of ED utilization, more hospital admissions, longer hospital stays, more barriers to accessing primary care, poorer health outcomes, and increased rates of ED/hospital re-admission.
What is VG doing?
VGMHC provides medical oversight for 10 LATS beds, transitions of care services, care coordination with primary care and the ECM, health system navigation and patient education.
- Washington County SHS owns and funds shelter building and is funding this 2-year demonstration project.
- Greater Good NW operates the shelter, provides three hot meals a day and laundry facilities, and offers housing case management and behavioral health services, including peer services.
