Following years of litigation with pharmaceutical companies who contributed to the opioid crisis that has impacted individuals, families and communities, the state of Connecticut will invest nearly $60 million of funds from opioid settlements into recovery support systems.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced that $58.6 million in funds received in settlements with pharmaceutical companies will provide stable housing and recovery support for Connecticut residents struggling with opioid use disorder and homelessness.
This “Housing as Recovery” program will prioritize providing those in need with stable housing, as instability can negatively impact their ability to recover from substance use disorder and addiction. The program will utilize rental subsidies, case management and essential resources to support an expected 500 people through 2028. The initiative will be overseen by the Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services and Housing.
The program marks the start of hundreds of millions of dollars Connecticut is expected to receive from these settlements, with the funds controlled by the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee. Other funds have thus far been used to expand access to harm reduction centers and hotlines supporting safe use.
State officials welcomed the new initiative as a step toward helping many residents along the path to recovery.
“Homelessness is a health crisis for those impacted and can worsen the depths that substance use disorder creates for individuals,” Sen. Saud Anwar, Senate chair of the Public Health Committee, said. “I’m proud that our state’s leaders are responding directly to these ongoing issues by approaching them in a constructive and beneficial manner.”
“Stable housing is directly related to the ability of individuals facing addiction to successfully recover,” Lamont said. “Using this settlement funding to support housing for people who have opioid use disorder is a way that we can make an impact in getting people’s lives turned around and on a stable path toward recovery.”
Eligible individuals under “Housing as Recovery” will receive housing vouchers, support for trauma-informed management services and funds to aid with necessary payments, providing a platform from which people can rebuild their lives. Currently, the state tracks more than 4,500 homeless residents, 30% of whom have substance use disorder.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, recovery housing is associated with positive outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder. Positive metrics include reduced likelihood of continued substance use, lower rates of incarceration, higher income, better odds of employment and improved family relationships.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reported that “Housing First” approaches are associated with decreased homelessness, criminal justice issues, health care costs and legal system costs, while individuals in such programs see reductions in substance use and increased access to services they need. A 2004 “Housing First” study found that access to stable housing led to 79% of individuals remaining in programs after six months compared to just 27% among individuals who did not receive stable housing.
