A bipartisan bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would reauthorize and nationally expand a federal pilot program that helps individuals recovering from a substance use disorder become stably housed.
“To encourage the chance of recovery from substance use disorders, individuals facing these mental health challenges must have access to safe and affordable housing,” Rep. Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, said on Aug. 8.
The congressman is the lead original cosponsor of the Supporting Transition And Recovery Through (START) Housing Act, H.R. 5137, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) to bolster and expand the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Recovery Housing Program (RHP) to all states, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
The RHP, which funds transitional drug or alcohol-free housing with peer support for people in recovery, is currently limited to 24 states and the District of Columbia, the summary says.
“Our bipartisan Supporting Transition And Recovery Through (START) Housing Act reauthorizes critical funding for the RHP, further expanding access to housing for Americans in recovery from substance use disorders,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “I am grateful for Congresswoman Bonamici’s partnership on this important mental health issue.”
H.R. 5137 has garnered support from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Bipartisan Policy Center Action.
“I’m grateful to work with my colleague Rep. Fitzpatrick to introduce the bipartisan START Housing Act to make the successful Recovery Housing Program available to people in Oregon and across the country,” said Rep. Bonamici. “Increasing access to recovery housing will make a difference to people in recovery and to our communities.”
The measure is under consideration by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.