Program Overview
The state of Wisconsin is using $2 million of opioid settlement dollars to fund 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 who are experiencing HUD category 1, 2, 3 (new, starting in 2024), 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 along with their families (new, starting in 2024) 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.
DHS's website provides more information on recovery residences as well as a list of DHS recognized recovery residences. Clients and their families (new, starting in 2024) can be supported in a DHS recognized recovery residence for up to 24-months or through the end of 2024 as funding allows whichever is shorter (see the 2024 Program Manual for full details).
Grant recipients will become RV Administrators for their Continuum of Care (CoC)/Local Homeless Coalition (LHC) service territory. As RV Administrators they will receive client referrals from their CoC/LHC partners*, enter clients into the program, and work with DHS recognized recovery residences to house clients. Agencies applying to be a RV Administrator can apply for up to $125,000 per year (starting in 2024). The 2024 performance period runs from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024. Contact information for the 2024 RV Administrators and a map of their service territories can be found in 2024 RV Administrators Contact Information and Map.
Information on how recovery residences can become involved and begin housing RV clients can be found in 2024 RV Grant Recovery Residence FAQs.
*Potential
clients can access the RV program through any RV Administrator. RV Administrators can place clients in
recovery residences anywhere in the state of Wisconsin, however RV
Administrators are not required to place clients in recovery residences outside
of their service territories.
Funds Use
The RV grant is split into three types of funds. Below is a description and the percentage of the total award each type can be:
Client Assistance Funds
These funds can cover the cost of a bed at a recovery residence, but cannot cover the cost of any additional services such as case management, support groups, meals, etc. Limited transportation can also be covered (new, starting in 2024). Full details can be found in the 2024 Program Manual. The applicant can request 70% to 100% of the award be client assistance funds.
Case Management Funds
These funds can be used for case managers, and associated case management services needed to place clients (and their families if applicable) in recovery residences, keep them safely housed in recovery residences, and help them find housing or another appropriate situation when their recovery residence stay is ending. These funds cannot cover the cost of case management provided by the recovery residence. Applicants can request up to 20% of their award be case management funds but can also request less or none.
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. Applicants can request up to 10% of their award be administrative funds but can also request less or none.
The percentage allocation between fund types will be specified in the grantee's contract.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants are limited to agencies that have ALL of the following qualifications:
- Applicant agrees to be an RV Administrator for their CoC/LHC service territory. This includes but isn't limited to accepting client referrals, entering clients into the RV program, and working with recovery residences to house clients.
- Applicant is a member of their HUD-recognized CoC/LHC.
- Applicant has current direct experience delivering services to people experiencing homelessness.
- Applicant has an active HMIS subscription.
- Applicant is registered with SAM.gov and can show proof of non-debarment/no active exclusions.
- There is a DHS recognized recovery residence within the applicant's service territory.
A list of DHS recognized recovery residences by county can be found on the DHS Recovery Residence Registry. Recovery residences and agencies that have a recovery residence cannot apply due to the inherent conflict of interest, however exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. If an agency is interested in an exception, please contact the RV Grant Specialist.
2024 Program Manual
Detailed information on the RV grant program including program and administrative requirements can be found in the 2024 RV Grant Program Manual.
2024 Application & Deadline
Applications for the 2024 RV grant program were opened on September 20, 2023, and were due on October 27, 2023. A review team at DEHCR scored each application. Scores were averaged and the top scoring applications were selected.
2024 RV Grant Application - CLOSED.
2024 Recovery Voucher Grant Recipients
A list of the 7 grantees and award amounts can be found here: 2024 RV Grantees and Award Amounts
A list of the grantees' contact information and map of their service territories can be found here:2024 RV Administrators Contact Information and Map
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 Administrator: 2023 RV Administrators Contact Information and Map and starting in 2024: 2024 RV Administrators Contact Information and Map.
If you are looking for other supportive housing services for yourself, or someone else, a list of services by county can be found at the What Assistance Is Available to Me? page of this website, you can also 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.
