WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced $19 million in supplemental funding aimed at strengthening housing capacity for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with serious mental illness (SMI).
The funding will be distributed through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant program and is intended to support states, territories, and jurisdictions in coordinating public health, housing, and justice systems. According to SAMHSA, the goal is to reduce homelessness among people with SMI by improving collaboration and expanding access to stable housing.
A key focus of the initiative includes supporting individuals with a history of non-adherence to outpatient treatment or those affected by anosognosia, a condition in which a person is unaware of their mental illness. States may use funds to develop or expand Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) programs, strengthen partnerships with housing authorities, and enhance data-sharing systems such as Health Information Exchanges.
The funding also prioritizes infrastructure improvements, including the development of state-level protocols, training, and guidance to aid in the implementation of AOT and related services. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and six Pacific jurisdictions are eligible for awards, which will range from $20,000 to $2.3 million.
This effort follows a broader federal emphasis on addressing the overlap between homelessness and untreated mental illness, with federal health officials stating the initiative is designed to promote safer and more stable communities.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).