AUDIO – FOOD AND HOUSING –
Dec. 24, 2025 – Many people who participate in homelessness or crisis services today carry a mix of untreated addiction, chronic health conditions and long periods of instability. Short treatment episodes often end before people regain the skills required for independent living. Communities benefit from programs that offer routine, counseling, peer support and daily engagement so residents can rebuild the foundation needed for long-term stability. Tens of thousands of people leave short-term residential addiction treatment programs each year in the United States, but the period immediately after discharge is where the system often breaks down. Many leave without income, transportation, a housing plan or reliable follow-up care, and the first weeks carry the highest risk of relapse or overdose.
Yet they have already shown commitment by completing treatment and engaging with clinical staff. Federal and state systems should meet that investment with a second stage of support that includes long-term recovery housing, peer guidance, practical skill-building and structured daily expectations.
