Kentucky to receive $1.5 million for recovery housing

On Tuesday, members of Kentucky’s federal delegation announced a new wave of funding to help address substance use disorder in the state.

The Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry (CAREER) Act brought forward by U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and Congressman Andy Barr in 2018 has resulted in nearly $11.5 million to the Commonwealth since it became law.

And in the newest announcement Tuesday, McConnell and Barr said the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will allocate $1,501,532 to Kentucky for the Recovery Housing Program.

The Recovery Housing Program, established within this legislation, is a transitional housing pilot program to help states increase access to safe transitional housing for individuals in addiction recovery while they rehabilitate and reenter the workforce.

The state will then select specific funding recipients. In past years, the funds have gone toward building out capacity and access to effective recovery housing.

In a press release about the new allocations, Congressman Bar noted the legislation has “been a cornerstone in strengthening workforce development, vocational training, and empowering our communities with the skills they need.”

“The CAREER Act is a crucial tool in our fight to end this crisis, targeting resources into lifesaving organizations that support Kentuckians’ recovery and their reentry into the workforce. I’ve been proud to champion CAREER Act funding along with Congressman Barr and support these organizations’ heroic efforts as they help Kentuckians break free from addiction for good,” said Senator McConnell.

The Kentucky Chamber has been a vocal supporter of the CAREER Act and has worked on many of the same issues across the state including advocating for legislation at the state level like Recovery Ready Communities and many others while also working hand-in-hand with employers through the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Kentucky Transformational Employment Program and providing crucial training with the Fair Chance Academy.