The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced more than $700 million in new funding opportunities aimed at expanding mental health services, addressing substance use disorders and supporting communities dealing with homelessness.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the funding package on Wednesday during a visit to an Easterseals Michigan behavioral health clinic in Clinton Township, Michigan. The initiative includes multiple grant programs designed to strengthen local treatment systems and expand access to behavioral healthcare services.
A central part of the package is a new $96 million grant program called Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-based Treatment and Support, known as STREETS. The program will provide funding to eight communities, with each community eligible to receive up to $3 million annually over a four-year period.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the STREETS program is intended to help local governments develop coordinated systems of care for people experiencing homelessness who are affected by substance use disorders, serious mental illness, or both.
The department said the initiative will bring together local governments, healthcare providers, housing organizations, law enforcement agencies and courts to create coordinated responses for individuals facing overlapping health and social challenges.
Kennedy said the investments would help move people from homelessness into treatment and recovery, while strengthening families, saving lives and improving community safety.
The broader funding package includes several additional allocations targeting different areas of behavioral health. HHS said $223.1 million will be directed toward Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide integrated mental health and substance use treatment services.
Another $238.6 million will support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a nationwide service providing emergency mental health assistance and crisis support. The funding is intended to maintain and expand access to immediate intervention services for people experiencing mental health emergencies.
The department also announced $80 million for substance use prevention, treatment and recovery programs. More than $70 million will be allocated to mental health services and support programs aimed at expanding resources for individuals and communities.
HHS said the funding package is aligned with President Donald Trump’s “Great American Recovery Initiative” and an executive order focused on addressing crime and disorder on U.S. streets.
The department’s announcement comes as federal officials continue efforts to expand behavioral health infrastructure through partnerships involving healthcare providers, local governments and community organizations. The newly announced grants are designed to support local systems that combine treatment, housing assistance and public safety resources for people facing mental health and addiction-related challenges.
