START Housing Act of 2023

The START Housing Act of 2023 reauthorizes a federal housing program for individuals recovering from substance use disorders, extending its funding period from 2019-2023 to 2024-2029. It requires states receiving funds to prioritize areas with the highest unemployment rates, lowest workforce participation, highest drug overdose deaths, and most unsheltered homelessness, using data from federal agencies. The bill mandates "low-barrier" housing access for participants and requires states to use federal funds to supplement, not replace, existing state/local housing funding. It also adds requirements for states to consult with local housing groups when planning program implementation.