Should Congress authorize a grant program for HUD to provide people experiencing homelessness with substance abuse intervention services?
The bill authorizes a grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $20 million each year through 2027. The grants will go to State, local, and tribal governments, Continuums of Care, community-based organizations that administer health and homelessness services, and providers of services to people experiencing homelessness. No less than 5% of authorized funding can be awarded to tribal governments and organizations.
Sponsor: Rep. Madeleine Dean (Democrat, Pennsylvania, District 4)
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Opponents say
• At the time of research and publication, no official opponent statements were found. This does not necessarily mean that nobody opposes the bill, nor does it mean that statements won’t be made in the future.
Proponents say
• "By strengthening the connections between agencies offering health services and those offering homeless services, we will more holistically support people experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder – giving them a better chance of recovery and remaining stably housed. My son’s experience battling substance use disorder helped me further understand the importance of reducing barriers and streamlining critical supportive services to prevent relapse and strengthen the recovery journey."
Source: Rep. Madeleine Dean (Democrat, Pennsylvania, District 4)
• "The population of people without homes in America continues to change, with more and more folks needing services to address behavioral health challenges in order to end their homelessness. The behavioral health systems (mental health and substance use) and the homeless service systems continue to be siloed in most communities with difficulty accessing each other’s resources. This bill offers us a chance to break down the walls of those silos and provide low barrier housing with appropriate levels of service, to reach our most vulnerable citizens."
Source: Christine Simiriglia, President and CEO of Pathways to Housing PA
• "I applaud Congresswoman Madeleine Dean for introducing the ‘Coordinating Substance Use and Homelessness Care Act’, which builds on decades of research, learning, and bipartisan support for proven solutions to homelessness. The evidence is irrefutable: the most effective way to end homelessness is to provide affordable, accessible homes linked with voluntary wrap-around services, including substance use and other health services. By building our nation’s capacity to bring together housing and healthcare services, this bill can help us more effectively address homelessness."
