Gov. Evers Launches Housing Program to Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorders
New Recovery Voucher Program will use Opioid Settlement Funds for affordable, safe, stable housing
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced the launch of the Recovery Voucher Program in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA). The effort will be supported by a portion of Wisconsin’s McKinsey & Company opioid settlement funds, which provided the state with $31 million to address the effects of the opioid epidemic. An initial $2 million investment into the Recovery Voucher Program will help provide access to affordable, safe, and stable housing for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and have been diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD).
“Basic needs, like housing or food, need to be met before anyone can overcome an illness, including opioid use disorder. Too often individuals in treatment and recovery for substance use disorder lack the safe and stable housing necessary to support them in their journey,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge. “We are grateful that Gov. Evers recognizes this and supports the Recovery Voucher Program to allow people with opioid use disorder to have a firm foundation on their journey toward recovery.”
DOA’s Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR) will administer the program, leveraging supportive housing expertise and strong existing partnerships with the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program in Milwaukee, Dane, and Racine counties, as well as local coalitions serving the other 69 counties across the state.
“We’re proud to partner with DHS and local agencies to ensure that folks get their basic housing needs met through this important program,” said DOA Secretary-designee Kathy Blumenfeld. “Safe housing and shelter are critical for recovery, as they are for every Wisconsinite.”
Housing agencies chosen through a competitive grant process will begin working with Recovery Residences starting Jan. 1, 2023. Wisconsin residents diagnosed with OUD who have been homeless or are at risk of homelessness will have the opportunity to continue their journey to sober living through access to Recovery Residences.
More information on the program is available here.
An online version of this release is available here.
More about the Opioid Crisis
- DHS Seeks Ideas for $8 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Jan 26th, 2023
- MKE County: Six Ways County Will Spend Opioid Settlement Funds - Graham Kilmer - Jan 24th, 2023
- Baldwin Votes to Boost Mental Health Support and Take on the Fentanyl and Opioid Epidemic - U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin - Jan 23rd, 2023
- Gov. Evers Launches Housing Program to Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and Opioid Use Disorders - Gov. Tony Evers - Dec 28th, 2022
- AG Kaul Announces $10.7 Billion in Agreements with CVS and Walgreens over Opioid Epidemic Allegations - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Dec 16th, 2022
- Narcan, Fentanyl Testing Strip Vending Machines Planned for Milwaukee - Isiah Holmes - Dec 1st, 2022
- Attorney General Kaul Joins Multistate Effort Urging DEA to Extend Telehealth Capabilities for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 17th, 2022
- Attorney General Josh Kaul Announces $3.1 Billion Agreement with Walmart over Opioid Epidemic Allegations - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 15th, 2022
- Department of Safety and Professional Services’ Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Wins $1.4 million Grant To Improve Service - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Nov 3rd, 2022
- Legislators Okay $31 Million For Opioid Treatment - Sarah Lehr - Sep 10th, 2022
Read more about Opioid Crisis here
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