Capito bill would reauthorize federal housing program for recovering drug addicts

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) recently signed on as the lead original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize the Recovery Housing Program (RHP), which allows states and the District of Columbia to provide stable, transitional housing for individuals in recovery from a substance-use disorder.

“This bill takes another step forward in the fight against opioids in our West Virginia communities and I look forward to seeing it pass,” Sen. Capito said on April 4.

The Safe and Secure Housing for Opioid Recovery and Enduring Stability Act of 2024, S. 4030, also known as the Safe SHORES Act of 2024, would increase authorized funding for the RHP to no less than $50 million per year, and extend the program until 2029. The RHP’s authorization expired in 2023.

Additionally, S. 4030, which U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) sponsored on March 21 alongside Sen. Capito, would give states and grantees additional flexibility to distribute funds as they need and allow grantees to cover more costs that come with providing housing, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“Transitional housing is a crucial part of recovery for many suffering from addiction,” said Sen. Capito. “The Safe SHORES Act will give state recovery housing programs additional resources to assist those in need of a stable residence during what we know can be a difficult path to recovery.”

The bill also would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to produce an annual performance report outlining the distribution of RHP awards and project developments, among other provisions, the summary says.

“The Safe SHORES Act will reauthorize a crucial program in the fight against the opioid epidemic and ensure that many more Americans recovering from addiction don’t have to worry about having a roof over their heads,” Sen. Coons said. “I’m proud to work on this bill with Sen. Capito and I hope the Senate will quickly take it up and pass it.”

The West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences, the National Rural Health Association, and the Bipartisan Policy Center endorsed S. 4030, which is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.