No One Is A Lost Cause: Best Practices in Addressing Homelessness and Addiction

Session Description: No one is a lost cause, no matter their current situation or addiction. Everyone deserves dignity, compassion, and hope. According to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Assessment and Report to Congress, 1,456,923 people were homeless in 2025. Many of them suffer from addiction, mental health, and trauma. They are at a 3.5-fold higher risk of death than people who are housed. The housing first model has failed this population. A recent study of over 60 thousand veterans found that veterans in supported housing had higher rates of overdose mortality relative to other veterans experiencing homelessness. These findings underscore the need for approaches that more fully integrate housing with evidence-based substance use treatment, recovery supports, and services that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Because of this, the Trump Administration worked with experts from across the country to develop a "Treatment First" model that prioritizes engagement in treatment services to ensure that individuals receive the comprehensive support necessary to achieve sustained recovery and community reintegration. This panel reviews the Best Practices in Addressing Homelessness and Addiction Toolkit through a treatment first model, a collaborative effort among the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). You will hear from the creators of the toolkit, along with government and front-line leaders.