# Safe SHORES Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary

## What This Bill Does

The Safe SHORES Act reauthorizes and expands a federal program that helps people recovering from substance abuse disorders (particularly opioid addiction) find stable housing. The bill extends an existing pilot program that was set to expire after 2023, continuing it through 2030. It increases the minimum federal funding for this program to at least $50 million per year and gives states more flexibility in how they use the money—including allowing them to purchase furniture for temporary housing facilities.

## Who Benefits

The primary beneficiaries are individuals recovering from substance abuse disorders who need stable housing as part of their recovery process. States and housing organizations that operate recovery housing facilities will also benefit from the continued and expanded federal funding. The bill encourages these organizations to prioritize facilities that offer workforce development, financial literacy training, and follow-up support to help residents transition to permanent housing.

## Key Changes and Provisions

- **Extended funding timeline**: The program runs from 2026-2030 instead of ending in 2023
- **Flexible spending**: States now have 5 years (instead of 1 year) to spend their allocated funds, and can use up to 1% for furniture purchases
- **Updated eligibility data**: The bill uses the most recent 5 years of data to determine which states qualify, rather than outdated 2013-2017 figures
- **Accountability measures**: Requires annual reporting to Congress on how funds are used, how many people are served, and what percentage of residents successfully graduate into permanent housing
- **Interagency coordination**: Directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to work with health and agriculture departments to improve recovery housing construction