To help persons in the United States experiencing homelessness and significant behavioral health issues, including substance use disorders, by authorizing a grant program within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist State and local governments, Continuums of Care, community-based organizations that administer both health and homelessness services, and providers of services to people experiencing homelessness, better coordinate health care and homelessness services, and for other purposes.
Homelessness and Behavioral Health Care Coordination Act of 2023
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award competitive grants to improve coordination of health care and homelessness services for individuals who are homeless, have significant behavioral health issues (e.g., mental health and substance use disorders), and voluntarily seek assistance. Entities eligible for these five-year grants include local and tribal governments, public housing agencies that administer housing choice vouchers, and certain nonprofits.
The bill prohibits grant funds from being used to pay for rent or health care, except to increase the availability of Naloxone (i.e. medication that reverses opioid overdoses) and provide training for its administration.
Further, the bill requires HUD to establish an interagency working group to (1) consult on the grant program, and (2) develop and circulate materials for providers of health care and homelessness services that simplify the services each offers in order to help each sector better understand the other.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5231)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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