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Grant Programs and Services for Homelessness

SAMHSA’s grant programs and services support efforts for ending and preventing homelessness among people with mental and/or substance use disorders.

Stable housing is a critical component of recovery. SAMHSA’s homelessness programs and resources work to end homelessness by improving access to treatment and services that support health and wellness. It is well documented that untreated behavioral health conditions can contribute to issues such as unemployment that make it difficult to find and keep stable and affordable housing. As reported by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, approximately 30% of people experiencing chronic homelessness have a serious mental illness, and around two-thirds have a primary substance use disorder or other chronic health condition.

SAMSHA’s homelessness programs support many types of behavioral health treatments and recovery-oriented services. These services include:

  • Outreach
  • Case management
  • Treatment for mental and/or substance use disorders
  • Enrollment in mainstream benefits such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Peer support services
  • Employment readiness services

Programs primarily target people experiencing homelessness who have been underserved, or who have not received any behavioral health services. Most of these programs support people who experience chronic homelessness.

SAMSHA’s homelessness programs include discretionary and formula grants. In addition, the SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) program helps increase access to disability income benefits for eligible adults who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness.

SAMHSA’s Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program is a formula grant that funds community-based outreach, mental and substance use disorder treatment services, case management, assistance with accessing housing, and other supportive services.

Find information about SAMHSA’s competitive (discretionary) homelessness grant programs:

Last Updated: 12/11/2023