Program Overview
The State of Wisconsin is using $2 million dollars of opioid settlement dollars to start the Recovery Voucher (RV) grant program. This was born out of the recognition that individuals who have safe, stable and supportive housing while in recovery often have better outcomes. Through this program, clients experiencing category 1, 2, or 4 homelessness and who also have an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis or have been receiving treatment for OUD within the past 12-months are eligible to be housed in a Department of Health (DHS) recognized recovery residence. DHS recognized recovery residences are located throughout the state and offer the following:
- Safe, healthy, family-like substance-free living environments that support individuals in recovery from addiction.
- Recovery residences vary widely in structure, but all are centered on peer support and a connection to services that promote long-term recovery.
- Recovery housing benefits individuals in recovery by reinforcing a substance-free lifestyle and providing direct connections to other peers in recovery, mutual support groups and recovery support services.
- Substance-free does not prohibit prescribed medications taken as directed by a licensed prescriber for treatment of OUD.
More information on recovery residences as well as a list of DHS recognized recovery residences can be found here. Clients can be supported in a DHS recognized recovery residence for up to 24-months (see Program Manual for full details).
The majority of grant recipients will become RV Administrators of the RV grant program for their Continuum of Care (CoC)/Local Coalition (LC) service area. As RV Administrators they will receive client referrals from their CoC/LC partners, enter clients into the program, and work with DHS recognized recovery residences to house them. Agencies applying to be an RV Administrator can apply for up to $100,000 per year in grant funds depending on the estimated number of people who will be served.
There are also funds for one organization to serve as the HMIS Reporting Lead. The HMIS Reporting Lead will cover the entire State of Wisconsin and will host/maintain HMIS software and data, conduct trainings on using HMIS, and provide reporting to agencies/DHS/DEHCR, among other duties.
A short presentation providing an overview of the RV grant's structure can be found here: 
2023 RV Program Overview.pdf The RV grant is split into two types of funds. Below is a description of what each type can be used for:
Recovery Vouchers (Program Funds)
Can cover the cost of a client staying at a DHS recognized recovery residence. The funds will cover the cost of a bed but cannot cover any additional services such as case management, costs for participating in support groups, recovery support services etc.
Administrative Funds
These funds can pay for administrative costs such as, but not limited to, the cost of office space, computers, office supplies, and salaries for agency wide functions such as accounting. RV Administrator applicants can request up to 10% of their award be administrative funds but can also request less or none. Given the role of the HMIS Reporting Lead 100% of their funds will be administrative funds.
The percentage allocation between program funds and administrative funds will be specified in the grantee’s contract.
Applicant Eligibility
Agencies can apply to be an RV Administrator if they meet ALL of the following qualifications:
They agree to be an RV Administrator for the RV grant program for their Continuum of Care (CoC)/Local Coalition (LC) service area. This includes but isn’t limited to accepting client referrals, entering clients into the program, and working with DHS recognized recovery residences to house them.
They are members of their HUD-recognized CoC/LC.
They have current direct experience delivering services to people experiencing homelessness.
They have an active HMIS subscription.
They are registered with SAM.gov and can show proof of non-debarment/no active exclusions.
Last, there must be a DHS recognized recovery residence within their service region.
Please note, recovery residences and agencies that have a recovery residence cannot apply due to the inherent conflict of interest created by being both the RV Administrator (providing funding to recovery residences) and the recovery residence (receiving funding from the RV Administrator). Exceptions to this, will be made on a case by case basis. If your agency is interested in an exception, please discuss with the RV Grant Specialist.
Specific eligiblity requirements for applying to be the HMIS Lead Agency include:
- The applicant must be a local unit of government or a private nonprofit agency.
- The applicant must be designated by Wisconsin's HUD-recognized CoCs as the HMIS Lead Agency for the State of Wisconsin.
If the applicant does not meet the above two requirements, they are not eligibile to apply to be the HMIS Lead Agency.
2023 Program Manual
Detailed information on the RV grant program including program and administrative requirements can be found in the 
2023 RV Grant Program Manual.
2023 Awards
Applications for the 2023 RV grant program were openned and posted on 9/7/22 and were due 10/7/22. A review team at DEHCR scored each application. The scores were averaged, and the top six applications for the RV Administrator role based on their average scores were awarded grants. One applicant was also awarded a grant to fill the HMIS Lead Agency role. The 2023 RV grant's performance period will start 1/1/23 and end 12/31/23.
2023 RV Administrator Role Application (Closed)
2023 HMIS Lead Agency Application (Closed)
2023 RV Grant Application_HMIS Lead Agency
Helpful Links, Resources & Tools
Information on the following topics can be found at the associated links listed below:
Contact Information:
Questions on DHS's Recovery Residence Registry and how to apply to be on the registry, can be directed to the DHS DQA, Behavioral Health Certification Section at: DHSDQAMentalHealthAODA@dhs.wisconsin.gov. There is also more information at: DHS Recovery Residence Description & Registry Application and the registry itself at: DHS Recovery Residence Registry. Please note, this grant does not provide funds for opening a recovery residence, or operational costs. Please see the Funds Use section above for a description of what the grant can cover.
If you are looking to enroll as a client in the RV grant program, please contact the nearest RV Grantee: 2023 RV Grantees Contact Information and Map.pdf.
If you are looking for other supportive housing services for yourself, or someone else please email: DOASupportiveHousing@wisconsin.gov.
All other questions can be directed towards the Recovery Voucher Grant Specialist, Emily Bourne, at: Emily.Bourne@wisconsin.gov, Phone: 608-261-7068.
