Cleveland, OH — Haus of Transcendent (HOT) has received grant funding from University Hospitals (UH) so that HOT can help more Medicaid and SNAP recipients navigate new requirements in these safety programs. This investment arrives at a moment when changes to Medicaid and SNAP in 2026 could affect access to health coverage and food assistance for many in the LGBTQI2S+ community.
The new federal legislation taking effect this year introduces work requirements for Medicaid coverage, more frequent eligibility redeterminations, and expanded restrictions for SNAP access. The Congressional Budget Office projects these changes will ultimately cause approximately 5 million people to lose health insurance and more than 2 million people to lose access to food assistance in a typical month.
For Haus of Transcendent clients receiving care coordination services, these changes create new challenges. Many clients rely on Medicaid for healthcare and on SNAP for food security—benefits that are now at risk due to new administrative hurdles and eligibility requirements.
With this funding from UH, Haus of Transcendent will expand its capacity to help more clients navigate the changing landscape of public benefits. “I have heard from many SNAP and Medicaid recipients who are afraid they will lose their health coverage and food assistance in 2026,” said Jordi Luke, CEO of Haus of Transcendent. “With UH’s support, we will enhance our care coordination services with education and assistance so that more Medicaid and SNAP recipients understand what actions they can take to not lose their access to insurance and food. Our partnership with UH reflects what’s possible when institutions come together with a shared goal of creating an accessible, vibrant, and healthy community for all.”
As Ohio implements these federal changes throughout 2026, Haus of Transcendent remains committed to being a safety net for the safety net—ensuring that LGBTQ+ adults and allies have the support they need to navigate these new challenges and maintain access to health services and nutrition assistance.
For more information about Haus of Transcendent, or to learn how to support this work, please visit HOTCle.org.
Haus of Transcendent is a Cleveland-based nonprofit addressing social drivers of health that lead to homelessness and health disparities among LGBTQI2S+ adults through comprehensive support services, advocacy, and community programming.
