Grant Funding Guide for Sober Living Homes

SAMHSA Grant Programs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the primary federal agency funding substance use treatment and recovery support services.

State Opioid Response (SOR) Grants

Program Overview:

• Formula-based grants to states, territories, and tribal communities
• Addresses the overdose crisis through prevention, treatment, and recovery support
• Recovery housing is an eligible use of SOR funds

FY 2025 Funding:

• $1.48 billion allocated for State Opioid Response
• $63 million for Tribal Opioid Response
• $45 million in supplemental funding specifically for young adult (ages 18-24) recovery housing services

Impact Since 2018:

• Nearly 1.3 million people have received treatment services
• Over 650,000 received medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
• Nearly 1.5 million received recovery support services
• At six-month follow-up, most individuals reported improved housing stability, social connectedness, health, and employment

How Funds Flow to Recovery Housing:

• States receive formula grants and distribute to local providers
• Recovery housing operators typically access SOR funds through:
  • State substance abuse agencies
  • Managing entities (regional behavioral health organizations)
  • Direct contracts with state agencies
  • Subgrants through treatment providers

Eligibility:

• Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status preferred)
• State-certified recovery residences
• Organizations serving individuals with opioid or stimulant use disorders

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG/SUBG)

Program Overview:

• Largest federal program dedicated to improving publicly funded substance abuse prevention and treatment systems
• Provides formula grants to all 50 states, DC, territories, and one tribal entity
• States have flexibility in how funds are distributed

Key Requirements:

• States must spend no less than 20% on substance use primary prevention
• Funds support prevention, treatment, recovery supports, and services supplementing Medicaid/Medicare/private insurance

Recovery Housing Uses:

• Fund priority treatment and support services for uninsured individuals
• Fund services not covered by insurance for low-income individuals
• Support transitional housing as part of recovery services

Application Process:

• Block grant applications are submitted by states, not individual providers
• Providers access funds through state behavioral health agencies
• Application deadline: September 1 (combined application) or October 1 (SUBG only)

Recovery Community Services Program (RCSP)

Program Overview:

• Competitive grant program supporting recovery community organizations
• Provides peer-based recovery support services

FY 2025 Funding:

• $4.4 million total program budget
• Individual grants up to $300,000 per year
• Statewide Network grants up to $245,000 per year
• Approximately 14 grants awarded (5 new, 9 continuation, plus 3 statewide networks)
• Expected to serve 794 clients

Eligible Activities:

• Peer support services
• Recovery coaching
• Life skills development
• Connection to housing and employment resources

Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI)

Program Overview:

• Competitive grant program for individuals experiencing homelessness with substance use disorders
• Focuses on integration of treatment, housing, and recovery support
• $15.3 million awarded in August 2023

Funded Activities:

• Substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment
• Coordination of housing and supportive services
• Connection to health insurance and benefits enrollment
• Recovery housing support
• Childcare, vocational, educational, and transportation services

HUD Recovery Housing Program

Program Overview

The HUD Recovery Housing Program (RHP) was authorized under Section 8071 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act. It provides formula grants to states for stable, transitional housing for individuals recovering from substance use disorders.

FY 2026 Funding Request:

• Coalition of 14 recovery organizations (including NARR) requested level funding at $30 million
• SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 authorizes RHP through FY 2030

Eligible Activities

• Acquisition: Purchase of land or property (following Uniform Relocation Act requirements)
• Rehabilitation: Renovation of existing structures
• New Construction: Building new recovery housing facilities
• Public Facility Improvements: Infrastructure supporting recovery housing
• Services: New or expanded recovery support services
• Clearance and Demolition: Site preparation for recovery housing

Funding Amounts (State Examples)

Indiana (2025):

• Up to $750,000 per project
• Applications accepted through February 22, 2026

West Virginia:

• Annual application process
• Priority given to entitlement communities

Eligibility Requirements

• Lead applicants must have legal capacity to carry out the program
• Local units of government may contract with 501(c)(3) nonprofits
• Coordination with Continuum of Care (CoC) required
• Must follow HUD regulations and reporting requirements

Assistance Limitation: Per-individual assistance limited to 24 months or until permanent housing is secured (whichever is first).

How to Apply

1. Contact your state housing authority for RHP allocation information
2. Review state-specific RHP action plan and priorities
3. Coordinate with local Continuum of Care
4. Submit application through state's designated portal

State-Level Funding (Florida Focus)

Florida DCF Recovery Housing Programs

Governance:

• Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers recovery housing programs
• Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement (SCOA) oversees opioid settlement fund distribution
• Office of Opioid Recovery coordinates cross-agency efforts

Certification Requirements: The Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) is the state's official certifying body under Florida law (F.S. 397.487).

Most Florida sober houses seeking certification fall into Level II or Level III.

Administrator Requirements:

• As of July 1, 2022: At least one Certified Recovery Residence Administrator (CRRA) per 50 clients
• CRRA credential obtained through Florida Certification Board

Annual Certification Costs: Renewal fees capped at $100 annually, includes documentation review and onsite inspection.

Regional Funding Opportunities

Jacksonville (Duval County):

• NE FL Sober Living Alliance Jumpstart program
• Community Foundation for Northeast Florida grants
• City of Jacksonville Opioid Trust grants
• Temporary rental assistance available

Accessing Florida Funding

1. Obtain FARR certification (highly recommended for funding eligibility)
2. Contact regional Managing Entity for your area
3. Monitor Florida Legislature Local Funding Initiative process
4. Apply for opioid settlement funds through local/regional programs

Opioid Settlement Funds

States are distributing approximately $50 billion from opioid-related lawsuit settlements. Recovery housing is a common priority use.

Florida Opioid Settlement

Total Settlement:

• Approximately $3.1 billion over 17 years
• Funds must be used for opioid abatement purposes

FY 2024-2025 Recovery Housing Allocation:

• $17.8 million budgeted for recovery housing
• $8.25 million for peer supports and recovery community organizations
• $5 million for Opioid Data Management System

How to Access:

• Through DCF and Managing Entities
• Via local government opioid abatement programs
• Contact Statewide Council on Opioid Abatement

Other State Examples

Michigan:

• $37.5 million from opioid settlements for recovery housing (FY 2026)
• State receiving over $1.8 billion total by 2040
• Over 200 beds added through $8 million in investments (2024-2025)
• Recovery Housing Investment Program: Purchase/lease homes adding 110+ new beds

New Jersey:

• Nearly $50 million allocated (late 2025)
• Over $324 million total allocated to date
• Priorities: housing, harm reduction, treatment access

Virginia:

• Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority awards grants
• Example: $99,575 to Grace House PEARL Program (recovery housing for pregnant/postpartum women)

Finding Your State's Opioid Settlement Funds

1. Visit NASHP State Opioid Settlement Spending Tracker
2. Contact your state's opioid abatement council or office
3. Check with local/county governments (many receive direct allocations)

Private Foundations

Major National Foundations

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation:

• Assets: $7.36 billion (December 2023)
• Annual grants: Nearly $300 million (2024)
• Focus areas include homelessness (Los Angeles County) and substance use prevention
• Does not accept unsolicited proposals - must be invited

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

• Largest U.S. foundation focused solely on health
• Historical investment of ~$408 million in substance-related programs (1991-2003)
• Current priorities: health equity, behavioral health integration, social determinants of health

Open Society Foundations:

• Funds addiction recovery and reentry projects
• Accepts letters of inquiry

Community Foundations

• Local community foundations often have small grants ($1,000-$10,000)
• United Way chapters may have substance abuse or housing programs
• Build track record with small grants before pursuing larger funding
• Search for your area at communityfoundations.org

Researching Private Foundations

Candid (formerly Foundation Center + GuideStar):

• Foundation Directory: Most comprehensive U.S. grantmaker database
• Foundation Maps: Visualize who is funding what and where
• GuideStar: Verify nonprofit status, search 990s
• Access free at many public libraries
• Website: candid.org

Research Strategy:

1. Use Candid/Foundation Directory to identify funders in your area
2. Search foundations funding "substance abuse," "housing," or "recovery"
3. Review their 990 forms to see past grant recipients
4. Look for alignment with your mission and geography
5. Note whether they accept unsolicited proposals

Grant Writing Best Practices

Key Elements of Successful Applications

1. Demonstrate Outcomes with Data

• Track and report measurable outcomes (sobriety rates, employment, housing stability)
• Invest in outcomes tracking systems - now a critical requirement
• At six-month intervals, measure: housing stability, employment, social connectedness, health

2. Show Alignment with Funder Priorities

• Tailor each proposal to the specific funder
• Use terminology from the grant announcement
• Address their stated objectives explicitly

3. Include Required Program Elements

Grant reviewers look for:

• Sobriety or active recovery requirements
• Work or service engagement mandates
• Time-limited transitional model (12-24 months)
• Wraparound services (case management, employment, life skills)
• Community partnerships (treatment, workforce, probation)
• Measurable/trackable outcomes

4. Prepare Strong Budgets

• Match budget line items to narrative descriptions
• Use realistic cost estimates
• Include all major expense categories
• Ensure math is accurate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Getting Grant-Ready

Prerequisites for Most Grants:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (for federal and most foundation grants)
• Property secured (owned or leased with documentation)
• Complete business plan and budget
• Outcomes tracking system
• NARR/state certification (FARR in Florida)
• Clean financial records and recent 990

Strategic Funding Approach

Layer Multiple Funding Sources:

• Federal grants for core operations
• State grants for supplemental services
• Private foundations for innovative programs
• Opioid settlement funds for specific initiatives
• Local grants for community connections

Diversification Rule: No more than 20% of funding from grants. Reduces risk if key grant falls through. Combine with resident fees, donations, and earned revenue.

Important Dates and Resources

Federal Grant Cycles

SAMHSA:

• FY 2026 forecasts available at samhsa.gov/grants/grants-dashboard/forecasts
• Most grant periods begin September 30
• Block grant applications due September 1 (combined) or October 1 (SUBG only)
• New regulatory requirements effective October 1, 2025 (2 CFR 200 and 300)

HUD RHP:

• State-specific application cycles
• Check with your state housing authority
• Indiana example: Applications through February 22, 2026

Where to Find Grant Announcements

Key Contacts

SAMHSA Recovery Community Services Program:

• Timothy Jean: (240) 276-1034, RCSP@samhsa.hhs.gov

National Resources:

• NARR: narronline.org
• NASADAD: nasadad.org

Typical Success Rate: National average for grant proposals is approximately 10% (1 in 10). Improve odds by tailoring proposals, building relationships, and starting with smaller grants.