[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S3164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 4482. A bill to help persons in the United States experiencing 
homelessness and significant behavioral health issues, including 
substance use disorders, by authorizing a grant program within the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist State and local 
governments, Continuums of Care, community-based organizations that 
administer both health and homelessness services, and providers of 
services to people experiencing homelessness, better coordinate health 
care and homelessness services, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
  Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Helping 
People Experiencing Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness Act, which 
I introduced today.
  Housing is a fundamental social determinant of health, and unhoused 
individuals are often the victims of stark health disparities. Of the 
more than 580,000 people experiencing homelessness in the United 
States, an estimated 20 percent have a substance use and/or a mental 
health disorder. Mental health concerns, including substance use 
disorders, can cause and exacerbate homelessness.
  A lack of affordable housing is the primary driver of homelessness, 
and we are working to address this issue. Another piece of the puzzle 
is to ensure housing and social service providers have the resources to 
work together to ensure access to supportive services.
  That is why I am proud to introduce this bill to provide essential 
funding and tools for frontline organizations to coordinate health and 
homelessness services.
  If enacted, it will create a Federal interagency working group to 
advise grantees on best practices. The grants will invest in programs 
to build the capacity necessary to combat the United States' dual 
homelessness and mental health crises.
  I want to thank Representative Madeleine Dean for introducing this 
bill with me, and I hope our colleagues will join us in taking this key 
step to addressing challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-
19 pandemic.

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