State highlights recovery housing, PATH and outcome‑based services as tools to reduce homelessness
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Summary
HHS officials told lawmakers the Recovery Housing Assistance Program (RHAP), PATH and outcome‑based models such as Community Connect and Free Through Recovery help participants exit homelessness and reduce substance use; officials said RHAP (started May 2022) has served more than 1,600 people with strong short‑term housing and substance outcomes.
Department of Health and Human Services behavioral‑health leaders briefed legislators on programs that pair housing assistance with addiction and mental‑health services.
Pam Segnus, executive director for behavioral health at HHS, described the Recovery Housing Assistance Program (RHAP), which began May 2022 and pays providers for sober‑living beds and supportive services for up to 12 weeks. Segnus said RHAP is state‑funded and has served 1,636 individuals (data reported to the committee as of Nov. 18), with outcomes showing that a majority reduced or stopped substance use while participating and about 80% exited to stable housing at the short‑term follow‑up.
Segnus also described PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness), a federal program focused on people with serious mental illness; the SUD voucher program; and the Free Through Recovery and Community Connect programs, which apply outcome‑based payments to encourage providers to achieve housing and other recovery targets. HHS officials emphasized that many programs support services rather than paying for housing directly, and that state funding decisions shape program continuity when federal streams change.
Committee members sought follow‑up data on contractor oversight, waiting lists, state vs. federal funding breakdowns and longer‑term outcomes beyond the 12‑week window.