A4939

An Act establishing the Recovery Housing Assistance Program, supplementing chapter 27D of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. a. As used in this section:

“Department” means the Department of Community Affairs.

“Substance use disorder” means a disorder defined to be consistent with generally recognized independent standards of current medical practice referenced in the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

b. There is established a Recovery Housing Assistance Program, to be administered by the Department of Community Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Human Services. The program shall be administered for the purpose of assisting individuals recovering from substance use disorder through providing:

(1) stable, temporary transitional housing, for a period not to exceed 12 months unless extended in compliance with rules and regulations adopted by the department;

(2) substance use specific support;

(3) workforce development services; and

(4) assistance in securing permanent housing upon program completion.

c. The program shall be administered in addition to, and in coordination with, any related existing programs and shall be administered Statewide. Priority shall be given to individuals who are recently discharged from inpatient treatment or involved in the criminal justice system for substance use offenses.

d. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall submit an annual report detailing the number of individuals served, housing stability rates, employment outcomes, and program expenditures to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.

e. There is established a fund for the purpose of providing the moneys necessary to administer the Recovery Housing Assistance Program, which may be used for purposes that shall include, but shall not be limited to, funding for operational support for recovery residences and sober living homes, rental assistance, housing navigation services, substance use specific support services, and workforce development services.

2. The Commissioner of Community Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, shall, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regulations as necessary to effectuate the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

3. There is appropriated $5 million from the General Fund to the fund established pursuant to subsection d. of section of 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to effectuate the purposes of that section.

4. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the Recovery Housing Assistance Program, to be administered by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in collaboration with the Department of Human Services.

The bill establishes the Recovery Housing Assistance Program for the benefit of individuals who suffer from substance use disorders. The bill directs the Department of Community Affairs to provide:

· stable, temporary transitional housing, for a period not to exceed 12 months unless extended in compliance with rules and regulations adopted by DCA;

· substance use specific support;

· workforce development services; and

· assistance in securing permanent housing upon program completion.

The bill provides that priority for program participation will be given to individuals who are recently discharged from inpatient treatment or involved in the criminal justice system for substance use offenses.

The bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to submit a report detailing the number of individuals served, housing stability rates, employment outcomes, and program expenditures to the Governor and Legislature annually.

The bill establishes a fund for the purpose of providing moneys to administer the Recovery Housing Assistance Program including funds to provide operational support for recovery residences and sober living homes, rental assistance, substance use specific support services, and workforce development services. The bill appropriates $5 million to the fund.

The bill requires DCA, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to adopt rules and regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill.

This bill is to take effect immediately.