Sponsors (2)
The bill directs modest federal funding to create referral pathways and capacity-building for behavioral health care for people experiencing homelessness in the highest-need states and increases oversight, but its narrow state and distance eligibility, small scale, and administrative set-asides limit how many people benefit.
People experiencing homelessness in the five states with the highest per-capita homelessness will receive referrals to certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs) for mental health and substance use treatment.
The bill funds up to 10 demonstration programs with $50 million over FY2025–FY2029 to expand access to coordinated behavioral health services for Medicaid beneficiaries and other low-income people.
Continuums of Care receive technical assistance support (funded up to 10% of program dollars) to implement referral pathways and build local capacity to connect people to behavioral health care.
Most Continuums of Care nationwide are ineligible because the program is limited to the five states with the highest per-capita homelessness, leaving many homeless populations without access to these new referrals.
The requirement that eligible participants be within 50 miles of a certified CCBHC may exclude rural and remote people experiencing homelessness who lack nearby clinics.
Setting aside up to 10% of program funds for technical assistance reduces the share of funding available for direct services and referrals to care.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a HUD demonstration giving up to 10 Continuums of Care grants to refer people to CCBHCs for behavioral health/SUD treatment and authorizes $50M for FY2025–FY2029.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Ken Calvert · Last progress January 21, 2025
Creates a HUD demonstration program to connect people experiencing homelessness with certified behavioral health clinics. HUD must set up the program within 180 days of enactment, award up to 10 grants to eligible Continuums of Care in the five States with the highest per-capita homelessness, and fund referrals to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics for mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment. The law authorizes $50 million for FY2025–FY2029 and requires HUD to report on performance and Social Security benefit participation after the demonstration ends.