For decades, we’ve seen government agencies from HUD to city and county programs. Spend billions of dollars to fight homelessness. But despite the money and the promises, the problem keeps getting worse. Why? Because most of our current programs are built on theories that don’t work in reality. In theory, if you have a thousand homeless people, you build a thousand housing units, problem solved.
In reality it doesn’t work that way. Some people are struggling with addiction. Others have untreated mental illness. And others simply can’t afford rent in an overpriced market. You cannot put all three groups under one roof and expect stability or safety.
Look at programs like Plymouth Housing. Their hearts may be in the right place, but the results tell the truth. Police and fire are called there constantly. For overdoses, assaults, and mental health crises. It’s not compassion to ignore that. It’s negligence.
We need a new approach. One that separates by cause, not by convenience. For those struggling with addiction, we need long term, secure rehab centers, isolated from drug access. Where recovery takes months not days. After that we can transition them into supportive housing where they continue to get treatment and counseling.
For those with severe mental illness, we need permanent care facilities again. Decades ago, the government shut them all down. Now our streets have become the new institutions. Yes, the old system was broken and inhumane. But today, we have the technology, transparency, and public oversight to do it right.
Every facility should be subject to regular inspections. Not just by government, but by the media, religious organizations, and community volunteers. When care falls short, the public will know immediately.
And for those who are simply down on their luck, we can provide short term housing, job training, and rent support. For up to a year with the goal of getting them back into the workforce and off government dependency.
Homelessness is not one problem with one solution. It is three separate crises that require three separate responses addiction, mental illness, and economic hardship.
If we face each one honestly, with compassion and accountability, we can begin to rebuild lives, restore safety, and reclaim our public spaces.
That’s the future I’m fighting for . One where compassion is real, accountability is firm, and taxpayers finally see results .
The Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (HRRA)
Draft Legislative Framework
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the “Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act of 2027.”
SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
(a) Congressional Findings
Congress finds that:
1. Federal, state, and local homelessness programs have failed to produce measurable reductions in homelessness despite unprecedented funding.
2. The current “housing-first” model does not adequately address addiction and severe mental illness, which together account for a majority of chronic homelessness.
3. Reestablishing secure, medically supervised treatment and mental health facilities operating under modern oversight can restore lives and reduce community harm.
4. Compassion and accountability are not mutually exclusive they are both essential to achieving lasting recovery.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to:
1. Classify homelessness by primary cause addiction, mental illness, or economic hardship.
2. Create a national framework for treatment based recovery programs.
3. Establish standards for long term mental health and rehabilitation facilities.
4. Require transparency, inspection, and performance based funding for all homelessness programs receiving federal funds.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Act:
• “Rehabilitation Campus” means a secure, long term residential facility designed to treat substance addiction for a period of 9–12 months or longer.
• “Mental Health Care Facility” means a licensed, long term treatment facility for individuals with severe or chronic mental illness who cannot safely live independently.
• “Economic Assistance Program” means a short term housing or rental assistance program designed to restore financial stability and workforce participation.
• “Qualified Oversight Entity” means an organization approved by HUD and HHS that includes representatives from media, religious, and community organizations.
SECTION 4. SEPARATION BY CAUSE
(a) Classification Requirement — All federal homelessness programs shall categorize participants by primary cause at intake (addiction, mental illness, or economic hardship) for appropriate placement.
(b) Facility Placement
• Individuals with addiction shall be referred to secure rehabilitation campuses.
• Individuals with severe mental illness shall be referred to long term mental health care facilities.
• Individuals experiencing economic hardship shall be referred to short term housing and workforce programs.
SECTION 5. REHABILITATION AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY STANDARDS
(a) Creation of Facilities
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall work with state and local governments to:
1. Reopen or construct modern, humane, federally licensed rehabilitation and mental health facilities.
2. Ensure security, transparency, and public oversight through mandatory quarterly inspections.
3. Require that facilities be located in industrial or low impact zones, not within 1,000 feet of residential neighborhoods or schools.
(b) Oversight
Each facility shall:
• Be inspected at least once every 90 days by a Qualified Oversight Entity.
• Publish results of inspections and outcomes (overdose rates, employment placement, relapse rates, etc.) on a public dashboard.
SECTION 6. FUNDING AND PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY
(a) Funding Sources
Reallocate a portion of existing HUD Continuum of Care and HHS block grant funds to support qualified facilities and programs.
(b) Performance-Based Funding
Federal funding shall be contingent upon measurable outcomes, including:
1. Reduction in relapse or overdose rates.
2. Increase in successful program completions and employment placements.
3. Reduction in repeat homelessness.
(c) Matching Grants
States that construct or operate compliant facilities shall be eligible for a 75% federal cost match for facility construction and operation.
SECTION 7. NATIONAL HOMELESS OVERSIGHT BOARD
(a) Establishment
There is hereby established the National Homeless Oversight Board (NHOB) within HUD.
(b) Membership
The Board shall include:
1. Representatives from HUD, HHS, and DOJ.
2. At least three members from public charities, religious organizations, or nonprofit treatment providers.
3. Two members representing law enforcement and emergency services.
(c) Duties
The Board shall:
• Monitor compliance with facility standards.
• Maintain the national performance dashboard.
• Recommend funding adjustments based on verified results.
SECTION 8. PROHIBITIONS
No federal funds shall be used to support facilities or programs that:
1. Allow ongoing illegal drug use without mandatory treatment.
2. Fail to meet quarterly inspection or reporting requirements.
3. Fail to provide secure access control, medical supervision, and on site counseling.
SECTION 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act, with initial funding not to exceed $5 billion annually for fiscal years 2027–2031.
SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act shall take effect 180 days after enactment.
For some of this to happen. The state of Washington and every other state. Would need to change or update their civil commitment laws . Below is a rough draft of what that might look like.
Model State Bill
The State Mental Health Restoration and Oversight Act
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act may be cited as the “State Mental Health Restoration and Oversight Act.”
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SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
The Legislature finds that:
1. The closure of state operated long term mental health hospitals has left thousands of severely mentally ill individuals without adequate care or supervision.
2. Many individuals with chronic, untreated mental illness now live in unsafe conditions on the streets or in jails, creating harm to themselves and the public.
3. Advances in medical treatment, facility design, and public oversight make it possible to provide humane, transparent, and accountable long term care.
4. It is the policy of this State to reestablish secure, medically supervised facilities for those whose conditions make independent living unsafe or impossible.
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SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of this Act:
• “Severe Mental Illness” means a chronic or acute psychiatric condition that substantially impairs a person’s ability to provide for their own basic needs or results in repeated endangerment to self or others.
• “Long-Term Mental Health Facility” means a licensed and accredited inpatient facility providing continuous care, treatment, and supervision for individuals with severe mental illness.
• “Involuntary Commitment” means a judicial order for placement in a long-term facility after due process and medical evaluation.
• “Qualified Oversight Entity” means a nonprofit or governmental body authorized by the State Department of Health to conduct inspections and report publicly.
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SECTION 4. AUTHORIZATION OF LONG TERM FACILITIES
(a) The State Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Social and Health Services, is authorized to:
1. Construct, reopen, or license long-term mental health care facilities.
2. Contract with qualified nonprofit or private operators that meet all licensing and oversight requirements.
3. Locate such facilities in industrial, medical, or low density zones to minimize community impact.
(b) Each facility must provide:
• 24-hour medical and psychiatric care.
• Secure access control and on site supervision.
• Rehabilitation, occupational, and therapeutic services.
• Periodic evaluation for patient progress and potential discharge.
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SECTION 5. INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT AND DUE PROCESS
(a) A person may be ordered into long term treatment if:
1. Two licensed psychiatrists or psychologists certify that the person suffers from severe mental illness and cannot safely live independently, or poses a recurring danger to self or others.
2. A superior court judge finds, by clear and convincing evidence, that long term treatment is necessary.
(b) Commitment orders shall be reviewed:
• Every 6 months for medical reassessment.
• Every 12 months for judicial review of continued placement.
(c) Patients shall have the right to legal representation, medical review, and family visitation.
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SECTION 6. OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY
1. Every facility shall be inspected at least once every 90 days by a Qualified Oversight Entity.
2. Inspection reports shall be publicly available online within 30 days.
3. Oversight entities may include representatives from health departments, licensed nonprofits, religious charities, and local news media.
4. Abuse or neglect shall be immediately reported to the Attorney General and made public within 72 hours.
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SECTION 7. FUNDING
1. The State may receive federal funds under the Homeless Recovery and Rehabilitation Act (HRRA) or other federal programs to construct and operate such facilities.
2. Facilities shall be eligible for up to 75% federal cost matching.
3. The Legislature may appropriate additional funds for staffing, medical supplies, and transportation.
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SECTION 8. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Health shall submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing:
• Number of individuals served.
• Recovery outcomes and discharge rates.
• Complaints, violations, and corrective actions.
• Fiscal expenditures and cost per patient.
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SECTION 9. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remaining sections shall remain in effect.
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SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment.
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