Treatment and Homelessness Housing Integration Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 577
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T05:23:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Treatment and Homelessness Housing Integration Act of 2024 aims to improve support for homeless individuals by linking housing assistance with behavioral health services. It directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a demonstration program that refers eligible homeless people to certified clinics for mental health and substance use disorder treatment, fostering better integration between housing and health care.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Demonstration Program: Within 180 days of enactment, HUD must launch a program awarding up to 10 grants to eligible entities. These grants fund referrals of "qualified participants" (homeless individuals in supportive housing, those receiving disability benefits, or homeless people with disabilities) to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics for treatment of behavioral health, mental health, or substance use disorders.
- Eligibility for Grants: Grantees must be a "Continuum of Care" (a local collaborative group managing homeless assistance programs under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) located in one of the five states with the highest per capita homelessness rates, and within 50 miles of a certified clinic.
- Reporting Requirements: HUD must submit a report to Congress within 180 days after the program ends, covering performance measures (e.g., effectiveness in serving participants) and the number of participants receiving Social Security disability insurance or supplemental security income benefits.
- Funding: Authorizes $50 million for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Up to 10% of funds can be reserved for technical assistance to grantees and preparing the report.
- Definitions:
- Continuum of Care: A local group coordinating homeless services in a specific area.
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic: Clinics certified under Medicaid standards to provide comprehensive mental health and substance use services.
- Qualified Participant: Homeless individuals in supportive housing programs, those eligible due to disability benefits, or homeless people with disabilities.
- Secretary: Refers to the head of HUD.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new demonstration program under HUD's authority, building on the existing Continuum of Care Program (part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act). It does not amend prior laws directly but creates a pilot to test referrals between housing programs and certified health clinics, potentially setting the stage for broader integration if successful. No major repeals or overhauls of current homelessness or health policies are included.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD will administer the program, including grant awards, oversight, and reporting, which may require new coordination with health agencies like those under the Department of Health and Human Services. This could strain resources in high-homelessness states but promote efficiency in service delivery.
- On Citizens: Homeless individuals with mental health or substance use needs may gain easier access to treatment, potentially improving health outcomes, housing stability, and reduced reliance on emergency services. The program targets up to 10 areas, so benefits would be limited initially.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. homelessness and health services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Homeless Individuals: Especially those with disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders, who could receive integrated housing and treatment support.
- Continuum of Care Entities: Local nonprofits and collaboratives in high-homelessness states eligible for grants to facilitate referrals.
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics: Health providers that would receive referrals and deliver services, potentially increasing their patient load and funding opportunities.
- Federal and State Governments: HUD for program management; states with high homelessness (e.g., California, New York, based on current data) for implementation; and Congress for oversight via the required report.
- Social Security Recipients: Participants receiving disability benefits may see enhanced support, indirectly affecting the Social Security Administration's beneficiary services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill aligns with existing federal frameworks like the McKinney-Vento Act for homelessness and Medicaid standards for clinics, ensuring referrals comply with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA for health data). It emphasizes voluntary participation, avoiding coercion issues.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with constitutional rights, such as due process or equal protection, as it expands access to services without restricting freedoms.
- Political: As a bipartisan-introduced bill (by Reps. Calvert and Valadao), it highlights cross-aisle interest in addressing homelessness through health-housing links. Success could influence future appropriations or expansions, but its demonstration nature limits immediate scope. The focus on high-need states may spark debates on resource allocation equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-21: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-01-21: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-21: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Treatment and Homelessness Housing Integration Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-21 — PDF (4 pages)