START Housing Act of 2025

The Supporting Transition and Recovery Through (START) Housing Act of 2025 aims to address the intersection of the housing crisis and the addiction epidemic. It proposes to reauthorize and expand the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Recovery Housing Program through 2031. This program provides grants to states to offer stable, temporary housing for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders, helping them transition from treatment to permanent, independent living.

If enacted, the bill would broaden the program's reach to all 50 states and prioritize funding for areas with high rates of drug overdose deaths, unemployment, and unsheltered homelessness. It would require states to implement "low-barrier" housing assistance, meaning fewer administrative hurdles for those seeking help, and would encourage coordination between local housing agencies and recovery service providers. For citizens, this could mean increased availability of drug- and alcohol-free housing options that include peer support and mental health services in their local communities.