In 2010, Michael Reese, alongside several other members of the philanthropic community, co-funded the launch of the Center for Housing and Health, an organization working to bridge the housing and health care systems to improve the lives of Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. 

The Center for Housing and Health approaches homelessness with a “Housing First” philosophy, linking people experiencing homelessness to safe and affordable permanent housing quickly and with minimal barriers so people can start their journey to a healthier life sooner.

In 2019, the Center for Housing and Health offered permanent supportive housing to 263 households, including 45 families and 77 children. 95% of those households were stably housed for 12 months or longer.  

In 2020, Michael Reese launched the incubation of Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness, a local chapter of the national Funders Together to End Homelessness. This incubation effort brings nearly 30 Chicago-area funders together to work collaboratively on issues related to housing stability and homelessness in Chicagoland. Over the last three years, Chicago Funders Together to End Homelesness funders have collectively invested nearly $40 million in direct services, research, advocacy and systems building for people experiencing homelessness in Chicago.