December 4, 2025
Marking the culmination of several years of advocacy, on December 1 President Trump signed into law the reauthorization of the SUPORT Act. Originally passed in 2018, the SUPPORT Act authorized such programs as Building Communities of Recovery, and the Peer Technical Assistance Center, both housed at SAMHSA.
This reauthorization, while significant, does not guarantee continued funding for these programs. That will be determined through the appropriations process, which is still very much in limbo. Congress continues to debate funding for the current fiscal year, and the bill that will fund SAMHSA and the rest of the Department of Health & Human Services is nowhere close to completion. The department and its agencies remain open via the continuing resolution, which expires on January 31.
Included in the bill was also the CAREERS Act, which supports individuals recovering from substance use disorder, ensuring they can reenter the workforce and maintain gainful employment. The law assists individuals recovering from substance use disorders by helping them access stable, transitional housing and offering essential support to reenter the workforce and sustain employment. Reauthorized were two successful programs, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Recovery Housing Program.
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Homelessness and housing is a major issue for policy advocates, as we have reported on in this space. Changes are coming to programs and funding opportunities at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that could have an impact on grantees. The Trump administration released on November 13 the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), making drastic, potentially harmful changes to how the federal government funds homelessness assistance programs. The new policy outlined in the NOFO slashes support for permanent housing programs by more than half, putting as many as 170,000 people who rely on CoC assistance for stable, affordable housing at risk of returning to homelessness. NLIHC condemns the administration’s policy changes, which will quickly upend homelessness response systems throughout the country and increase homelessness.
The CoC program is the largest source of federal funding for homelessness assistance, with an annual budget of about $3.5 billion. CoC funds serve over 750,000 people experiencing homelessness each year, including older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and families with children. In addition, the NOFO notes HUD “reserves the right to verify past performance” of an applicant, and to “evaluate the eligibility of a project application” if the project utilizes or has utilized in the past harm reduction practices like safe injection sites; facilitated or promoted racial preferences; or “[conducted] activities that rely on or otherwise use a definition of sex other than as binary in humans.” According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, on the subject of recovery housing, HUD will now favor projects with onsite substance use treatment, required service participation, sufficient treatment bed capacity, and 24/7 detox or inpatient access. We are concerned that such a focus reflects a misunderstanding of the purpose of recovery housing, which is not clinical in nature.
TAKE ACTION
1. Contact Your Members of Congress
Urge them to fully fund the SUPPORT Act programs in the upcoming appropriations process. Emphasize the importance of programs like Building Communities of Recovery, Peer Technical Assistance Center, and workforce/housing initiatives under the CAREERS Act.
2. Respond to HUD’s Proposed Changes
Submit comments to HUD opposing cuts to permanent housing and advocating for recovery housing protections. Share personal stories about how stable housing supports long-term recovery.
3. Mobilize Your Network
Share the Faces & Voices policy update link on social media and encourage others to take action. Host a virtual or in-person advocacy briefing for your community.
4. Join Advocacy Campaigns
Participate in Faces & Voices of Recovery’s policy alerts and action campaigns. Sign up for their newsletter to stay informed and amplify calls to action.
5. Educate Policymakers
Schedule meetings with local, state, and federal officials to explain why recovery support programs and housing stability are essential. Provide data and real-life examples from your organization or community.
SAMPLE EMAIL TEMPLATE
Subject: Support Recovery Programs & Housing Stability
Body:
Dear [Representative/Senator Name],
I’m writing as a constituent and advocate for recovery support services. The recent reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act is a major step forward, but its success depends on full funding for programs like Building Communities of Recovery, Peer Technical Assistance Center, and workforce/housing initiatives under the CAREERS Act.
Additionally, HUD’s proposed changes to homelessness assistance could drastically reduce permanent housing options, putting recovery housing at risk. Stable housing is essential for long-term recovery.
Please prioritize:
Thank you for your leadership in supporting individuals and families in recovery.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Organization]