In 2021, 46.3 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with substance use disorders, including 6.7 million rural residents. From December 2021 to December 2022, approximately 105,000 lives were lost due to the overdose epidemic. Many rural communities and households have been impacted by this epidemic through the loss of loved ones, incarceration, chronic homelessness, mental and behavioral health challenges, and more. In some rural communities, every household has been impacted by substance use disorders.

This issue of Rural Voices highlights innovative approaches to providing housing for residents in recovery with a cross-sector analysis of successful collaborative approaches to addressing the issues associated with substance use disorders.

Rural Voices - Recovery in Rural America - Cover

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON

Let’s Get to Work on Fighting the Housing and Substance Use Crises
by Senator Tina Smith

Minnesota continues to make progress in supporting its rural communities.

FEATURES

Addressing Substance Use in Rural America
by Dave Johnson

The Fletcher Group uses an innovative housing model and ground-breaking research.

Housing Finds its Niche in Supporting SUD Recovery in Kentucky
by Tom Manning-Beavin

Frontier Housing rehabilitates and finances suitable properties to provide safe and stable homes for those in recovery.

The National Alliance for Recovery Residences Standards

NARR provides national standards for effective, safe, and quality recovery residences.

Andy’s Place: Michigan’s First Permanent Recovery Supportive Housing Development
by Bob Beck

Housing has the power to make a difference in addressing the opioid crisis.

Action on the Opioid Epidemic and Rural Affordable Housing
by Alan Morgan

Rural advocates can act on the opioid epidemic and connected housing needs.

Bringing Mental Health Support and Resources to Northeast Oklahoma
by Denise Phelps

GRAND Mental Health offers an array of services for those experiencing homelessness, mental health crisis, and drug/alcohol emergencies.

HAC’s Inaugural Affordable Housing and Recovery Cohort

HAC shares resources and builds the capacity of organizations working to address their communities’ substance use disorder crises.

Infographic

Download this infographic: PNG | JPG | PDF

Rural Voices would like to hear what you have to say about one, or all, of these issues. Please comment on these stories by sending a tweet to #RuralVoices, discuss on the Rural Affordable Housing Group on LinkedIn, or on our Facebook page.

HAC submitted comments to Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), the Chair and Ranking Member of the Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee, in response to their call for recommendations on how to improve the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) programs. RHS programs are a critical source of housing for our nation’s small towns and rural places. HAC hopes that Senators Smith and Rounds will use these stakeholder comments to help improve the efficiency and impact of RHS programs, especially as more multifamily properties leave the USDA portfolio.

Topline Takeaways

Multifamily
HAC strongly recommends that the Senators authorize important multifamily preservation programs and simplify the process for transferring properties to non-profit owners in order to help more properties remain in RHS programs and maintain their affordability. HAC also recommends that the Senators investigate the rental assistance programs available in rural areas and extend these to more rural renters.
Single family
HAC recommends that the Senators improve the Section 504 program which provides grants for single family home repair. Simplifying and making this program’s funds more accessible would help more families stay in their homes and preserve single family homeownership.
Capacity building
Many communities have the willingness and desire to help improve their housing opportunities but lack the technical skill or capacity to accomplish their goals. HAC recommends authorizing capacity building programs that would help communities develop the tools they need to thrive.
RHS staffing and operations
HAC recommends improving the workflow within RHS and updating the technology the RHS staff uses to increase efficiency and help RHS better serve rural communities.

Read HAC’s Comments

HAC Comments on RHS Reforms

Tag Archive for: Senator Tina Smith

Rural Voices: Recovery in Rural America: Housing Helps Address the Substance Use Disorder Crisis

Contents

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON

FEATURES

Infographic

HAC’s Stakeholder Comments on Rural Housing Service Programs

Topline Takeaways

Multifamily

Single family

Capacity building

RHS staffing and operations

Read HAC’s Comments

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50 Years for Rural America