Texas State Laws, Policies and Funding
RH terminology used by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHS), Medical and Social Services Division “A recovery residence refers to a supportive, shared living environment founded on peer support and connection to community services that promote a person’s active participation in their own recovery. Recovery residences are free from alcohol and other substances and are a common pathway used to transition back into the community following residential treatment.”
“Since recovery residences can vary, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) defined four levels of support for recovery residences that you can find here.”
“The Texas Health and Human Services Commission partners with Oxford House, Inc. to provide level 1 group homes and recovery residences across Texas.”
Accreditation, Certification, and State Licensing Requirement: No state requirement.
RH Law(s): HB 707 (2021) The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study to evaluate the current status of opportunities, challenges, and needs to expand recovery housing in this state.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB707
Legislation: HB 544 (2021) The Health and Human Services Commission shall adopt minimum standards for certification as a recovery house that are consistent with the quality standards from the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. The commission shall authorize one or more credentialing organizations each to develop and administer a voluntary certification program for recovery housing.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB544
HB2754/SB1833 (2021) Establishes a task force to work with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to expand housing options and the use of housing stipends, all in attempts to reduce recidivism rates and save the state money, and it revises the authorization for TDCJ to issue payment for temporary post-release housing for certain inmates or releasees. Among other provisions, the task force must include one recovery housing representative and develop standards for post-release housing for releasees that are consistent with nationally recognized standards for recovery housing.
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB2754
Regulations: None/unknown
SABG Program: The “Planned Priority Areas” documents for your state’s Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) program and Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) program do not specifically mention recovery housing as a priority, nor do they list recovery support services as an allowable activity. To learn more about specific recovery housing activities that are eligible for funding through these grant programs, please reach out to your state’s Single State Agency (SSA) that’s responsible for administering these funds by visiting https://www.hhs.texas.gov/
According to WebBGAS, this state has indicated that it has established a revolving loan fund using SABG funds to develop RH for individuals in recovery.
SOR Program: Your state’s Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has previously funded recovery activities using State Opioid Response (SOR) funds. To learn more about specific recovery housing activities that are eligible for funding through this grant program, please reach out to your state’s Single State Agency (SSA) that’s responsible for administering these funds by visiting https://www.hhs.texas.gov/
Medicaid Funding: Nothing in the state Medicaid plan suggests direct support for RH, however, certain covered activities could evolve to be provided in RH settings to include case management, peer support, and counseling.
NARR Affiliate Status: Yes, the Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network (TROHN)
Housing Assistance Funding: https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/
Directory/Registry:
Texas Funders
Allan Neustadt Charitable Trust
The Allan Neustadt Charitable Trust was originally established in 1997 in Oklahoma. Currently, the Trust is based in Dallas, Texas.
Regions: The Trust primarily funds organizations in the Dallas, Texas area, and Oklahoma. Rural Carter County and the town of Ardmore, Oklahoma, are also key focuses.
Issues Supported: Education, family services, human services, mental health care, and residential care are areas of interest.
Grant Process and Application: For information about the grant application process, contact the Foundation by phone at 214- 891-5969.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2020, the Trust provided grants in the amount of $78,750.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Outcasts Under Transformation, Inc. is a grantee based in Ardmore, Oklahoma, in rural Carter County. The organization is a Christian-based facility that offers a sober living environment for individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Austin Community Foundation
The Austin Community Foundation was founded in 1977 and strives to support the well-being and development of communities in the Austin area and beyond.
Regions: The Austin Community Foundation funds projects in the Austin area as well as Central Texas. The counties of focus include Bastrop, Burnet (rural), Caldwell, Hays (partially rural), Travis, and Williamson.
Issues Supported: Top funding priorities are education, human services, and health. Specific issue areas include arts and culture, disaster response, education, services for women, and services for Hispanic communities, and youth development.
Grant Process and Application: Grant application deadlines vary depending on the program. Applications for Community Grants can be submitted throughout the year. Applications are submitted through an online portal. Find out more about the application process by visiting the Austin Community Foundation website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2021, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $36 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Austin Recovery is an organization that offers various forms of treatment services. The Family House is a recovery housing program that offers a therapeutic and supportive environment for mothers struggling with substance use disorder, as well as their children.
Finn Family Foundation
The Finn Family Foundation was established in 1983 and is based in Fulshear, Texas. The mission of the Finn Family Foundation is to serve the needy and support humanitarian relief projects.
Regions: The Finn Family Foundation focuses grant-making on Texas.
Issues Supported: Examples of issue areas include emergency aid, human services, mental health care, and youth development.
Grant Process and Application: The first step in applying for funding is to send a letter. Application deadlines are usually in October each year. Contact the Foundation by phone at 832-437-1005 to find out more information about the application process.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2020, the Finn Family Foundation provided grants in the amount of $530,000.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Open Door Recovery House is a grantee based in Marble Falls, Texas, in rural Burnet County. The Open Door Recovery House provides sober living services in a Christian environment for women struggling with substance abuse.
Gatewood Family Foundation
The Gatewood Family Foundation is based in Houston, Texas, and was established in 1999.
Regions: The Gatewood Family Foundation gives primarily to the Houston, Texas area, with limited grant-making in other areas of the state.
Issues Supported: The Foundation has a focus on addiction services, with other issue areas including arts and culture, community and economic development, education, and health.
Grant Process and Application: To learn about the grant-making process, contact the Foundation by phone at 281-579-4485.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Gatewood Family Foundation provided grants in the amount of $276,500.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Open Door Recovery House is a grantee based in Marble Falls, Texas, in rural Burnet County. The Open Door Recovery House provides sober living services in a Christian environment for women struggling with substance abuse.
JJM Endowment Trust for Serenity House of Abilene
The JJM Endowment Trust for Serenity House of Abilene was established in 2011 and is based in Abilene, Texas.
Regions: The JJM Endowment Trust for Serenity House of Abilene exclusively directs grant-making towards the Serenity House in Abilene.
Issues Supported: The Trust is focused on addiction, health, and substance abuse.
Grant Process and Application: Requests for funding are generally not accepted. To find out more information, contact the Foundation by phone at 325-627-7004.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2020, the Trust provided grants in the amount of $58,829.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Serenity Foundation of Texas offers addiction treatment services through the Serenity House. The Serenity House serves Abilene (including rural Jones County), Fredericksburg (in rural Gillespie County), and Wichita Falls (partially rural Wichita County) in Texas. In addition to treatment services, the Serenity House also offers sober living facilities.
Moody Foundation
The Moody Foundation is based in Galveston, Texas, and was established in 1942. The Foundation was founded by William Lewis Moody, Jr. and Libbie Rice Shearn Moody. The Moody family accumulated their wealth through business in several industries, including banks, cotton, insurance, ranches, newspapers, and hotels. The mission of the Foundation is to support the residents of Texas.
Regions: The Mood Foundation supports organizations in all areas of Texas, particularly in Dallas County and partially rural Galveston County.
Issues Supported: The Mood Foundation funds grants in the areas of arts and humanities, community and social services, education, health, and science.
Grant Process and Application: Grant application deadlines may vary. Find out more about the grant application process by visiting the Foundation’s website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Moody Foundation provided grants in the amount of $93 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Rahab’s Retreat and Ranch is based in Kilgore, Texas, in partially rural Gregg and Rusk Counties. The organization provides transitional and supportive housing to women who are survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation and who are recovering from substance use disorder.
N.D. & Mary Redmon Foundation
The N.D. & Mary Redmon Foundation was established in 1975 and is based in Tulia, Texas.
Regions: The N.D. & Mary Redmon Foundation focuses grantmaking in rural Swisher County, Texas.
Issues Supported: Issue areas of focus include arts and culture, housing development, human services, and mental health care.
Grant Process and Application: The grant application deadlines are usually in September each year. Find out more information about the grantmaking process by contacting the Foundation at 806-995-3528.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Foundation provided grants in the amount of $39,502.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: The Driskill Halfway House is a grantee located in Tulia, Texas, in rural Swisher County. The Driskill Halfway House offers sober living facilities for men, designed to facilitate the post-treatment recovery journey. The facilities provide services for 15 men.
The Trull Foundation
The B.W Trull Foundation was founded in 1948 by B.W. and Florence M. Trull. The current Trull Foundation was established in 1967 by Florence M. Trull and her children, with the assets from the original foundation. The Trull Foundation is based in Palacios, Texas, and aims to support children in rural areas, individuals impacted by substance abuse, and other issues affecting Palacios Texas and coastal Texas areas.
Regions: The Trull Foundation focuses grant-making on Texas, with a focus on rural Matagorda County. Rural and coastal areas are also areas of focus.
Issues Supported: The Trull Foundation’s top three funding priorities are human services, health, and education. Addictions services, child development and welfare, community development, and mental health care are a few examples of areas of funding interest that fall under the broader categories.
Grant Process and Application: The Foundation recommends contacting Executive Director Nellie Lee prior to beginning a grant application. The grant application deadline is usually in September each year. Find out more information about grant applications by visiting the Foundation website.
Grant-Making Per Year: In 2019, the Trull Foundation provided grants in the amount of $1.2 million.
Recovery and Supportive Housing Grantee Example: Pay It Forward Clean and Sober Living is a group based in San Antonio, Texas, that offers recovery housing for those recovering from substance use disorder. Pay It Forward helps individuals reintegrate into society while maintaining sobriety.
Texas Opioid Settlement Funds
Total Settlement Funds in Texas
- $1.17 billion
Fund Distribution
- 70% to the Opioid Abatement Trust Fund
- 15% to the state
- 15% to local governments
Timeline
- Funds from three distributors will be paid over 18 years
- Funds from Johnson & Johnson will be paid over 9 years
Application Process
- Not established
Key Contacts
- Attorney General of Texas Ken Paxton, 512-463-2100
- Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick, 512-463-5342 and 512-463-0001
Key Links
How About Your County?
To get a quick overview of the resources available in your county, including gaps that may need to be addressed, visit the Recovery Ecosystem Index Map developed through a partnership between the Fletcher Group Rural Center of Excellence, the NORC Walsh Center at the University of Chicago, and East Tennessee State University.
Need More Info?
A year in the making by a staff of ten, the Fletcher Group’s 82-page Recovery Housing Landscape Report provides an in-depth overview of the most recent laws, policies, and funding affecting recovery housing. You’ll find sections devoted to state laws, SAMHSA funding, Medicaid, corrections, and housing assistance plus numerous links to valuable resources and official documents. To see the complete downloadable report, click the image to the left.
This web page is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $13.7 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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