State lawmakers are studying how housing instability, homelessness and mental illness are interconnected and what changes might reduce the state鈥檚 overall homeless population.
State Rep. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, addressed members of a joint hearing of the House鈥檚 Committees on Public Health and Urban Affairs.
鈥淲e know that there is a link between illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia that have been associated with high crime risks and homelessness,鈥� Alvarado said.
Kenny Wilson, president and CEO of Haven for Hope, a 22 acre non-profit homeless recovery center based in San Antonio, agreed with Alvarado.
鈥淲e absolutely believe there is a connection between mental health and homelessness and supportive housing to come out of that. It makes economic sense for the community; it keeps people out of the emergency rooms and mainly helps them get on track,鈥� Wilson said.
Wilson said Haven for Hope houses an estimated 1,700 homeless men and women and provides a number of services through other non-profit partners, including mental health care.
During the 2017 legislative session, state lawmakers, as part of an effort to improve mental health care, approved more than $75 million to several local organizations and state facilities.
In terms of what can be improved, Wilson said there are only a few housing vouchers offered to someone who is homeless.
He recommended additional funding for the state鈥檚 Healthy Community Collaborative and the creation of more site-based supportive housing units for homeless men and women struggling with mental illness and unemployment.
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