Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign Releases New Fact Sheet on Recovery, Mental Health, and Housing

By Julie Walker, NLIHC Project Manager, Opportunity Starts at Home  

The Opportunity Starts at Home (OSAH) campaign released a new fact sheet describing the essential connection between access to affordable housing and recovery for individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health conditions. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designates a stable home as one of the four essential dimensions of recovery. Housing insecurity, on the other hand, is associated with declining mental health, increased risk of incarceration, and a significantly higher risk of opioid overdose. More affordable housing and investments in supportive housing models that place people in housing without requiring abstinence or treatment are necessary to promote long-term recovery from substance use disorders.  

Access to a safe and stable environment is essential in recovery, but systemic barriers frequently prevent people from securing the housing they need to heal. Many individuals with SUDs or mental health conditions are disproportionately represented in the criminal legal system, often due to a lack of treatment access. Housing providers frequently use criminal history as a reason for denial, a practice that serves as a barrier to housing access and potentially violates fair housing laws.  

The most effective housing solution for individuals with substance use disorders involves prioritizing immediate placement in housing without requiring abstinence or treatment as a prerequisite. Evidence from a systematic review of 26 studies reveals that programs that house people without requiring treatment saw an 88% reduction in homelessness and 41% improvement in housing stability. Participants in supportive housing were also found to be 3.4 times less likely to use drugs or alcohol during their first year compared to those in programs that require treatment first. 

By strengthening existing affordable housing solutions and investing in supportive housing models, policymakers and communities can promote recovery and build a more equitable system of care. Recovery and mental health advocates play a vital role in ensuring that people who are housing insecure or experiencing homelessness can access the stable environment they need and deserve.   

The fact sheet was developed with the help of campaign partners the Legal Action Center, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and The Kennedy Forum. In total, the campaign has posted 18 multi-sector fact sheets on its website. Each fact sheet compiles landmark research to help policymakers, opinion leaders, and the public understand the deep connections between housing and other national priorities, from healthcare to education to economic growth. Housing advocates are encouraged to download the fact sheets and use them in making the case for cross-sector collaboration with potential allies in other sectors. Expanding the movement for housing justice requires ensuring that sector partners understand how housing directly impacts their own missions and goals.  

Read the fact sheet here.