House Passes Tenney Co-Sponsored Bill Addressing the Housing Needs of Individuals Who Complete Opioid Addiction Treatment Programs

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) announced the passage of H.R. 5735, The Transitional Housing for Recovery in Viable Environments (THRIVE) Act. Over 130 organizations have endorsed this legislation including Friends of Recovery-New York. The THRIVE Act creates a 5-year demonstration program that allocates 10,000 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers specifically for people with an opioid use disorder. Housing vouchers will be awarded to non-profits on a competitive basis and they must report metrics of success including the program's success at helping individuals maintain sobriety, rise above government dependency, and gain job skills and employment.

"Too many individuals find themselves with limited housing choices after completing in-patient rehabilitation and are forced into housing situations where they are often surrounded by people using illegal substances. Putting those in recovery into situations where illegal substances may be present only perpetuates the cycle of addiction and prevents individuals from rising above substance abuse. The THRIVE Act holds these housing units accountable, ensuring they provide a healthy recovery environment for addicts who want to maintain sobriety," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, a member of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force.

"The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis, striking the hearts of communities across the nation. It knows no boundaries. This bill that I cosponsored and that the House passed, is a step in the right direction to ensure we comprehensively and compassionately combat this epidemic," concluded Congresswoman Tenney.

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