(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is investing $58.6 million in funding it recently received from multistate settlements with pharmaceutical companies over their role in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic to support the creation of a new, innovative program designed to provide stable housing and recovery support for individuals in Connecticut facing both opioid use disorder and homelessness.
Known as the Housing as Recovery initiative, this program recognizes that housing instability is a critical component of recovery. It will provide rental subsidies, trauma-informed case management, and essential resources to individuals facing opioid use disorder. It is expected that this funding will enable the program to provide support services to approximately 500 people annually over the next four years at a cost of around $14.25 million per year. The program is being jointly overseen by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Connecticut Department of Housing.
“Stable housing is directly related to the ability of individuals facing addiction to successfully recover,” Governor Lamont said. “Using this settlement funding to support housing for people who have opioid use disorder is a way that we can make an impact in getting people’s lives turned around and on a stable path toward recovery.”
Connecticut is expected to receive more than $600 million over the next two decades from $50 billion multistate settlements with pharmaceutical companies. Decisions on how to allocate these funds are being made on behalf of the state by the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, which Governor Lamont and the General Assembly established through legislation adopted in 2022. That law also requires the committee to only use this funding on services related to opioid recovery. So far, the committee has allocated nearly $89 million, with this Housing as Recovery investment being the largest investment to date. The remainder of the funding has been approved to support other services such as the expansion of harm reduction centers and a 24/7 safe use hotline. Additional allocations will be made as the state continues receiving settlement funding over the coming years.
The settlement was delivered to Connecticut from an agreement negotiated by Attorney General William Tong.
“Over the past five-plus years, Connecticut has led the nation in securing $50 billion to combat the opioid epidemic, including $600 million for Connecticut alone,” Attorney General Tong said. “We’ve said since day one that those funds would be used to support treatment, prevention and recovery – to save lives. This announcement delivers on that promise, providing millions of dollars for safe, stable housing and support for our friends and neighbors at the most vulnerable points of their recovery.”
The Housing as Recovery initiative will utilize three components to address the diverse needs of participants. Eligible individuals will receive a voucher annually through the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), ensuring access to stable and affordable housing. In addition, $9,500 per person will be allocated to fund wraparound trauma-informed case management services, including connections to treatment programs, budgeting guidance, and tenancy skills development. To further facilitate a transition into permanent housing, $5,000 per individual will be set aside for client support, covering vital needs such as security deposits, furniture, and utility payments. Together, these elements ensure that program participants have the resources and support needed for sustained recovery and stability.
The program directly responds to the growing crisis of homelessness and addiction in Connecticut. The state’s By Name List (BNL) tracks more than 4,500 individuals experiencing homelessness, with approximately 30% identifying as having substance use disorders. Evidence has shown that stable housing not only reduces the risk of relapse but also improves treatment engagement and overall recovery outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders. By using a “housing first” approach, the program ensures participants can access housing without preconditions such as sobriety, creating a supportive environment from the outset.
“Housing is a cornerstone of recovery,” Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Commissioner Nancy Navarretta said. “By ensuring access to stable housing and providing personalized support, we are offering individuals not just a second chance, but the tools to sustain recovery and build a brighter future. This is about dignity, opportunity, and creating pathways to a healthier future.”
“We believe in a holistic approach to address Connecticut’s housing needs and when individuals and families live in safe homes, with access to wrap-around services it makes for a better quality of life and a chance for permanent stability,” Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said. “We’re proud to work with DMHAS on this project and will continue to support projects like this throughout the state.”
For more information on the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, click here.
For more information on cases regarding the opioid epidemic that Attorney General Tong has led in court on behalf of the state, click here.
