Housing is Recovery Program

The Housing is Recovery program is administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services through its Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. This state-funded initiative is designed as a pilot program to address the intersection of homelessness, behavioral health conditions, and repeated institutionalization or overdose risk. The program reflects a broader state objective to improve health outcomes, reduce system costs, and provide equitable access to housing and recovery services for vulnerable populations. It operates under Illinois statutes and aligns with statewide priorities around behavioral health, housing stability, and social equity. The primary purpose of the program is to provide affordable housing through a bridge rental subsidy combined with recovery support services or treatment. It targets adults with serious mental illness who are at high risk of unnecessary institutionalization and individuals with substance use disorders who are at high risk of overdose. The program follows a Housing First model, meaning participants are not required to demonstrate sobriety or engage in treatment as a condition of receiving housing. Instead, it prioritizes immediate housing stability while encouraging voluntary engagement with supportive services. Funding supports a wide range of allowable costs tied to housing access and stabilization. These include rental subsidies, security deposits, utility payments, landlord incentives, inspection costs, and transition assistance such as moving expenses and basic household items. Grantees are also responsible for administering subsidies, ensuring compliance with housing quality standards, and providing or coordinating engagement services such as case management, recovery support, and connections to mental health or substance use treatment. Certain restrictions apply, including adherence to federal cost principles and prohibition of pre-award costs. Eligible applicants include public housing organizations, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses that meet state registration and prequalification requirements. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer housing subsidies, coordinate or provide behavioral health services, and comply with programmatic requirements such as inspections and reporting. Program participants must meet strict eligibility criteria, including Medicaid eligibility, income limits at or below thirty percent of area median income, and documented risk factors such as repeated hospitalizations, incarceration, or overdose history. The application process requires submission of a full application packet via email, including a uniform grant application, program narrative, conflict of interest disclosure, and a budget submitted through the state’s CSA Tracking System. Applicants must also meet prequalification requirements such as SAM registration and maintaining good standing with state and federal compliance systems. The program narrative is a critical component and must address community need, organizational capacity, service delivery model, and data reporting processes. Applications are evaluated based on merit review criteria including quality of services, organizational qualifications, and data management capabilities. Key dates for the funding cycle include an application opening on February 27, 2026 and a submission deadline of March 30, 2026 at noon Central Time. Questions were accepted until March 23, 2026, and a technical assistance session was offered on March 3, 2026. Awards are anticipated to be issued around July 1, 2026, with a performance period running through June 30, 2027. The program may offer up to two additional one-year renewals based on performance and funding availability, indicating a potential recurring funding structure. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program’s designated agency representative for questions and to monitor official websites for updates and guidance. Reporting requirements for awarded entities include monthly participant data submissions and quarterly performance and financial reports. The program emphasizes accountability, data-driven evaluation, and coordination across service providers to ensure that housing stability and recovery outcomes are achieved for participants.

Emphasize detailed service delivery model strong coordination of care demonstrated organizational capacity and clear data tracking systems aligned with performance measures