California Construction News staff writer
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing have been awarded $32 million over the next four years to provide housing and for people experiencing homelessness and serious behavioral health conditions.
The Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) state grant will help address immediate and long-term housing needs for those with serious mental illness and substance use disorders that prevent them from accessing help.
“When people with substance use or mental health issues have housing or shelter, they are in a far better position to improve their health and stability,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax. “With this grant funding, people will receive support to stabilize their living situation, in an environment that is much safer and more stable than the streets.
“The combination of stable living situations and behavioral health treatment leads to better health outcomes.”
The grant will support multiple types of housing, such as mid- to short-term housing, emergency stabilization units, shelter beds, women’s transitional housing, and assisted living beds and will also allow DPH to provide support services for housing stability, retention, and wellness. In San Francisco, 5,000 people experiencing homelessness are receiving behavioral health care from DPH each year.
“This funding will make it possible for SFDPH to better support San Franciscans with behavioral health needs with supportive and transitional living environments,” said Dr. Hillary Kunins, DPH Director of Behavioral Health and Mental Health SF. “We know these additional supports will help people to achieve greater stability and health.”
