$45 Million Bill to Reduce Homelessness, Connect Coloradans with Supportive Services Clears Senate

Legislation would help develop recovery community to provide vital health services, behavioral health care & housing access resources

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved a bill sponsored by Senators Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, and Nick Hinrichsen, D-Pueblo, that aims to help people experiencing homelessness access the supportive services they need to care for their health and well-being. 

SB22-211 would invest $45 million to repurpose an unused, state-owned facility into a recovery oriented community to help those experiencing homelessness access services for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. 

“Addressing homelessness is so much more than creating more housing options. It’s about connecting people without stable housing to services, care and housing they need to move forward and thrive,” said Fields. “With this bill, we will be able to better connect Coloradans experiencing homelessness with the care they need to support their health and stability, like access to recovery services as well as primary, dental and mental health care.” 

“If we want to help folks experiencing homelessness get back on their feet, we need to expand access to critical health services and housing resources to do it,” said Hinrichsen. “By expanding access to resources that will help folks access supportive housing and care for their health, we can set them up for success and help them thrive in the future.” 

This legislation will help Coloradans with behavioral health needs on their recovery journey, provide resources for housing access so folks can more easily transition to supportive housing, and create a Federally Qualified Health Center or other primary care clinic that will offer primary care, dental and outpatient mental health care. 

SB22-211 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.