Sponsors (10)
The bill expands and targets federal recovery housing supports and builds in planning and capacity improvements, but trades off funding predictability and state flexibility and may modestly divert dollars from direct services while raising the potential for higher long-term costs.
People with substance use disorders (especially low-income individuals) will get extended and expanded recovery housing support from 2026–2031 through reauthorization and broader program scope.
States and communities with the highest measured need (high unemployment, low labor participation, high overdose rates, unsheltered homelessness) are prioritized, directing resources to areas hit hardest.
Program recipients must plan for stable housing at program exit and consult local continuums of care and public housing authorities, improving housing continuity for participants.
Shifting to a 'prioritized for' allocation approach (rather than guaranteed formula shares) may leave some States with less predictable funding, complicating budgeting and program continuity.
Removing prior statutory duration limits for placements could extend program stays beyond earlier expectations, increasing long-term federal and state costs and fiscal pressure on taxpayers and governments.
The supplement-not-supplant condition, while preserving existing funding, could limit State flexibility to reallocate resources and may reduce the amount of net new services unless States provide additional funding.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Reauthorizes and refocuses the Recovery Housing Program through 2031, prioritizing high-need States by economic, overdose, and homelessness metrics and adding housing-exit and funding conditions.
Official title: To reauthorize and expand the pilot program to help individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder become stably housed, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 12, 2025 by Suzanne Bonamici · Last progress February 12, 2025
Reauthorizes and reshapes the federal Recovery Housing Program by extending the authorization period through 2031 and changing how funds are prioritized and administered. The bill directs the Secretary to prioritize states with the greatest need using unemployment, labor force participation, overdose death rates, and unsheltered homelessness measures; removes a prior short-term duration limit; requires grantees to aim for stable housing on exit and to use funds to supplement (not replace) state/local funding; and allows up to 2% of funds for technical assistance and outreach.