Legislative Updates 
HHS Homeless Services Appropriations
The Alliance works in partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Enterprise Community Partners, and the National AIDS Housing Coalition, to increase federal funding for services in homeless programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—including the Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI) and Treatment Systems for Homeless programs.
These funds will be targeted to essential mental health and substance use treatment services linked to permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families and other housing programs targeted to homeless families, youth and individuals.
Programs that link affordable housing with the appropriate level of supportive services are proving to be effective for all homeless populations. However, the largest obstacle for many communities to continue making progress towards ending homelessness is funding the services.
An increase in services funding within HHS is needed to overcome HUD’s preference for funding housing capital needs over services, and barriers to mainstream programs, such as Medicaid, welfare, Medicare and general substance abuse and mental health services funds.
Latest News: The president’s fiscal year 2009 budget, which was released Monday February 4, proposed funding SAMHSA homeless programs at $35 million, a $20 million decrease over last year’s funding level.
Advocates are urging Congress to include $100 million for SAMHSA homeless programs in the fiscal year 2009 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill—a $44 million increase for services targeted to permanent supportive housing and other housing programs. This funding request will help provide mental health substance use treatment and other services necessary for someone to maintain housing such as outreach and engagement, housing retention supports, financial management, intensive case management, assertive community treatment team interaction and income support.
SAMHSA Homeless Programs FAQ
SAMHSA homeless programs award grants across the U.S. to improve the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders for those experiencing homelessness. These grants go to community-based public and private nonprofit organizations that provide substance abuse services and mental health treatment for homeless individuals.
FY 2009 Appropriations: Services for Homeless Populations
This document describes the Alliance’s request for an increase in federal funding for services in homeless programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding request will help provide mental health substance use treatment and other services necessary for someone to maintain housing such as outreach and engagement, housing retention supports, financial management, intensive case management, assertive community treatment team interaction and income support.
Services in Supportive Housing: National Call Summary
This document provides information which was presented on a national call, Services in Supportive Housing: Efforts to Garner New Federal Resources on February 12. The focus of the discussion was on the status of, and efforts to increase, federal resources for supportive services.
Services Appropriations Request: Sample Letter
Make ending homelessness a priority in Congress by calling on your Senators and Representatives to support an increase in funding for services in homeless programs administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
The Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program allocates funds by formula to states to serve homeless people with serious mental illness. Eligible services include outreach, screening and diagnosis, habilitation and rehabilitation, community mental health services, substance abuse treatment, case management, residential supervision, and housing.
Increasing Federal Funding for Services for Permanent Supportive Housing: Rural Fact Sheet
February 1, 2007
Supportive Housing is Cost Effective
January 19, 2007
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This audio conference covered the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program.
This video highlights how communities across the country are decreasing homelessness among families. Thanks to the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it’s yours to use for free. 