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Final fiscal year (FY) 2013 legislation, passed in mid-March, includes $75 million in funding for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Homeless Services, which represents flat funding from FY 2012, and is the same amount requested by the president in his Budget Proposal. However, after sequestration, the automatic across-the-board cuts to security and non-security discretionary programs, this funding level will be cut down to $71.16 million.

The bill also includes $65 million for Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), which also represents flat funding from FY 2012. However, again, after sequestration, the automatic across-the-board cuts of approximately 5 percent to security and non-security discretionary programs, this funding level will be cut down to $61.672 million.

On April 11, the Administration released its FY 2014 Budget Proposal. The Proposal included $75 million for SAMHSA Homeless Services and $65 million for PATH, which if enacted, would bring funding back up to FY 2012 levels. Congress is now holding hearings on the Administration's Budget Proposal. The House and Senate will release their own bills in the coming weeks. 

About SAMHSA Homeless Programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Homeless Services programs provide case management and other supportive services — such as outreach, mental health services, substance use counseling, and health care — linked to housing. These integrated programs are highly effective and cost-efficient. From 2007 to 2012, the number of chronically homelessness individuals decreased by 19.3 percent nationwide. SAMHSA investments have played a role in this decrease.

The largest obstacle for many communities to continue making progress toward ending homelessness is funding for service delivery that fully integrates behavioral and physical health care interventions. An increase in resources for integrated behavioral health services is needed to overcome barriers to accessing mainstream programs, such as Medicaid, welfare, and general substance abuse and mental health services. SAMHSA’s financial support of services in these environments is a critical step on the road to ending homelessness.