Sec. 6. (a) The Indiana housing first program is established to provide housing and support services for eligible persons. The program shall be administered by the authority. The Indiana commission to combat substance use disorder established under IC 4-3-25-3 may award grants to the authority for the purposes of the program. Not later than January 1, 2018, the authority shall establish policies and procedures to implement and administer the program. The policies and procedures established by the authority under this section must ensure that the program does the following:

(1) Provides eligible program participants with affordable and safe housing through program rental assistance to be used in dedicated supportive housing units and in existing market units in the community.

(2) Includes a plan for the:

(A) initial leasing of; and

(B) management of rental assistance through the affordability period for;

supportive housing developed under the program.

(3) Provides eligible program participants with support services, including:

(A) employment assistance and job training;

(B) substance abuse and addiction treatment;

(C) educational assistance;

(D) life skills assistance; and

(E) treatment for, and the management of, mental and physical health problems;

that are predicated on assertive engagement rather than coercion. Support services described in clause (B) must be predicated on a harm reduction approach to addiction, rather than mandating abstinence, while supporting a program participant’s commitment to recovery.

(4) Grants eligible persons who have a high degree of medical vulnerability priority as participants in the program.

(5) Provides program participants with leases and tenant protections as provided by law.

(6) Establishes annual goals to:

(A) reduce the number of individuals cycling through chemical addiction programs;

(B) provide long term supports for individuals dually diagnosed with:

(i) a serious and persistent mental illness; and

(ii) a chronic chemical addiction;

(C) increase the housing stability of persons with mental illness or other behavioral health issues; and

(D) increase positive health indicators for all program participants;

in Indiana as a whole and in particular regions, communities, and metropolitan statistical areas within Indiana, through the program and support services provided under the program. The goals required by this subdivision must be based on data collected by the authority and the authority’s partners.

(7) Includes partnerships with public entities and private entities, including any of the following, to provide support services and a continuum of care for eligible program participants:

(A) Nonprofit or faith based organizations providing services to individuals and families in the program’s target population.

(B) Units of local government.

(C) School corporations and schools.

(D) Businesses.

(E) Public housing agencies.

(F) Social service providers.

(G) Mental health providers.

(H) Hospitals.

(I) Affordable housing developers and providers.

(J) Law enforcement agencies and correctional facilities.

(K) Organizations serving homeless veterans.

(L) Organizations serving victims of domestic violence.

(M) Universities.

(N) Other public or private entities the authority considers appropriate to partner with to accomplish the purposes of the program.

     (b) In establishing the policies and procedures required by this section, the authority may collaborate with or seek guidance from:

(1) other appropriate state agencies, including the department of correction, the Indiana department of health, and the office of the secretary of family and social services (and the appropriate divisions within the office of the secretary of family and social services);

(2) officials in other states or municipalities that have implemented housing first programs or other similar programs; and

(3) any of the entities listed in subsection (a)(7).

As added by P.L.103-2017, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.114-2022, SEC.11; P.L.56-2023, SEC.39.