SAMHSA grants nearly $8 million for program to reduce chronic homelessness

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced today that it is awarding up to four new grants totaling just under $8 million to local organizations working to prevent or reduce chronic homelessness in their communities. These grants are in addition to $81.5 million in grants awarded under this program in September 2009.

This grant program is a key part in SAMHSA's strategic initiative on homelessness. It is designed to provide essential mental health and substance use treatment services linked to permanent supportive housing targeted to chronically homeless individuals and families. These resources serve to reduce the barriers that homeless persons with mental and substance use disorders and their families experience in accessing effective programs that sustain recovery and stable housing.

"We are helping to end homelessness in America by working in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other agencies to provide the expertise and services for substance abuse and mental illness required to help people off the streets and into permanent and supportive homes," said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. "These additional grants will add to the Administration's efforts to rebuild the lives of many individuals and families who are experiencing or might otherwise be chronically homeless."

This program has a targeted focus to serve chronically homeless individuals and families by enhancing existing permanent supportive housing programs and other resources. The programs will provide intensive individualized support services designed to reduce psychiatric symptoms, substance use and empower people to regain stability.

The four awardees will receive up to $400,000 per year for up to 5 years. Continuation of these awards is subject to both availability of funds and progress achieved by the awardees. The following is a list of the grant awardees and their first year grant amounts:

Community Area Resource Enterprise/ Gallup, N.Mex $400,000

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County/ San Jose, Calif. $399,991

Greenhope Housing Development Fund Corp./ New York, N.Y. $398,985

Women Accepting Responsibility, Inc., Baltimore, Md. $400,000