Expanding Access to and Use of Behavioral Health Services for People Experiencing Homelessness

Course overview

This article is an evidence-based resource guide prepared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The guide offers strategies and implementation considerations aimed at behavioral health providers and other practitioners who work with people experiencing homelessness. The guide emphasizes the importance of initiating mental health and substance use disorder treatments during the period when individuals are still homeless, whether sheltered or unsheltered. It outlines five key evidence-based interventions, including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Intensive Case Management, Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), and Peer Support, providing practical advice on how these can be implemented to improve behavioral health outcomes. The guide also highlights the importance of engaging with individuals in their current environments and presents case studies to illustrate successful applications of these strategies.