Kentucky has been chosen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to receive funding to create a housing pilot program that will help people with substance abuse addictions have a safe place to live, thanks to legislation introduced last year by U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).
The Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act, H.R. 5736, legislation introduced in 2018 by Rep. Barr, aims to address workforce declines that have resulted from the opioid epidemic by encouraging businesses and treatment centers to work together to help individuals in recovery secure employment and housing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced the companion bill, S. 2730.
Last year, Rep. Barr’s bill was included in the package of bills which became the comprehensive opioids and addiction legislation H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act. The historic H.R. 6 passed Congress last fall and was signed into law by President Donald Trump in October 2018.
HUD designated Kentucky as one of the highest recipients of funding for the transitional housing pilot program, Rep. Barr said on April 18. He called transitional housing an evidence-based approach that has helped thousands of people transition back to leading independent lives after completing rehab.
“It is critical that Congress continue to work to combat the opioid epidemic, especially in my home state of Kentucky where we have the third highest opioid overdose mortality rate in the nation. This includes supporting policies that expand transitional housing options and workforce development initiatives for individuals in the recovery process,” said Barr, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee with jurisdiction over federal housing policy.
Sen. McConnell also praised the funding announcement for his home state.
“As Senate Majority Leader, I shepherded this legislation to President Trump’s desk, and with my fellow Kentuckian, Congressman Andy Barr, we’ll keep working with the administration to deliver the necessary resources to assist Kentuckians in recovery,” Sen. McConnell said.