119th Congress (2025-2026)

HR 1231

START Housing Act of 2025

Introduced

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

House

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

The START Housing Act of 2025 aims to reauthorize and expand a program designed to help individuals in recovery from substance use disorders achieve stable housing. It extends the current pilot program for six years, from 2026 to 2031, and prioritizes states with the greatest need based on factors like unemployment rates, labor force participation, drug overdose deaths, and homelessness. The bill also emphasizes the importance of supplementing existing state and local funds for housing and recovery services, and requires states to consult with local organizations to ensure effective program implementation.

Key provisions

Extends the pilot program from 2026 to 2031.
Prioritizes states based on unemployment, labor force participation, overdose deaths, and homelessness.
Focuses on providing low-barrier housing options.
Requires states to supplement existing housing and recovery funding.
Mandates consultation with Continuums of Care and Public Housing Agencies.
Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees.
Establishes a ‘supplement not supplant’ requirement for state and local funds.

Who is affected

Individuals in recovery from substance use disorder
States
Continuums of Care
Public Housing Agencies
People experiencing homelessness

Notable changes

Extends the program’s duration.
Introduces a prioritization system for states based on multiple factors.
Emphasizes low-barrier housing access.

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

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Arguments opposed

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Legislative history

2025-02-12House

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

2025-02-12

Introduced in House

2025-02-12

Introduced in House

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Feb 12, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

H. R. 1231

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL

To reauthorize and expand the pilot program to help individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder become stably housed, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Supporting Transition And Recovery Through Housing Act of 2025

or the

START Housing Act of 2025

2.Reauthorization of Recovery Housing Program

Section 8071 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (42 U.S.C. 5301 note) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

by striking 2019 through 2023 and inserting 2026 through 2031;

(B)

by striking for a period of not more than 2 years or; and

(C)by striking , whichever is earlier;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (1), by inserting , acting through the Office of Community Planning and Development in consultation with the Office of Special Needs Assistance, before not later than; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)in subparagraph (A), by striking allocated to and inserting prioritized for; and

(ii)

by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraph:

(B)PriorityAmong the States, priority shall be given to States with the greatest need, as such need is determined by the Secretary based on the following factors:

(i)The highest average rates of unemployment based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for calendar years 2019 through 2023.

(ii)

The lowest average labor force participation rates based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for calendar years 2019 through 2023.

(iii)

The highest age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(iv)The highest rates of unsheltered homelessness as determined by the most recent annual point-in-time count of persons experiencing homelessness required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.).

;

(3)

in subsection (c)—

(A)in paragraph (2)—

(i)

by inserting , low-barrier after effective; and

(ii)by inserting before the period at the end the following: with an expectation that persons participating in the program have access to stable housing upon exiting the program; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(4)Supplement not supplantAs a condition of receiving funds under this section, a State shall use such funds received under this section only to supplement the level of State or local funds that would, in the absence of the receipt of funds under this section, be made available for related housing and recovery services.

(5)ConsultationEach State that receives amounts pursuant to this section shall consult with continuums of care and public housing agencies to assess needs for implementing funds and developing a plan to support individuals receiving stable housing in connection with funding under this section with transfer to other housing at the end of the individuals’ eligibility.

; and

(4)

by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following new subsection:

(f)Technical assistanceThe Secretary may use not more than 2 percent of the funds made available under this section for technical assistance, to publish best practices, and to conduct outreach to grantees or potentially eligible participants.

HR 1231

Bill overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

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Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Positions across the country

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Bill text

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Positions across the country