Addressing Homelessness and Addiction through "Treatment First" - SAMHSA

Published by SAMHSA in August 2026, this toolkit presents a “Treatment First” model for addressing homelessness among people with substance use disorders. It recommends coordinating evidence-based addiction treatment, mental health care, recovery housing, employment assistance, and other supports around long-term recovery and self-sufficiency. Guidance covers outcome measurement, transitions between services, community partnerships, financing, responses to homeless encampments, and support for children in families affected by homelessness and substance use. The toolkit contrasts this model with “Housing First” approaches and argues that housing programs should place greater emphasis on treatment participation, sustained recovery, employment, and community reintegration.

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