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LOUISVILLE, KY (October 28, 2021) – Louisville Metro Government’s Accelerator Team issued a request for applications (RFA) proposal for Harm Reduction Recovery Housing, outlined in June as part of the Residential Services for Substance Abuse and Addiction focus listed as one of the priorities during the first round of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding approved by Metro Council in June.
“As the city continues to face the outcomes of the pandemic, it is imperative that we recognize another issue many of our residents are faced with –housing challenges for those dealing with substance abuse,” said Mayor Fischer. “As a compassionate city, we are committed to investing in the resources needed to combat this challenge, and proactively help those residents live in stable housing, and further reduce the risk of preventable overdoses.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic was first declared a state of emergency, Louisville has experienced an increase in overdose fatalities. Individuals with substance use disorder who are simultaneously experiencing homelessness are at an increased risk for fatal overdoses. Unsheltered individuals experience more isolation than those who are housed; this isolation intensified during the pandemic, which led to fewer opportunities for overdose reversal through lifesaving measures like naloxone.
This RFA seeks to identify and select an organization or vendor that can successfully create and operate twenty units of specialized housing for a pilot Harm Reduction Recovery Housing initiative to reduce the risk of overdose among homeless residents with substance use disorders. The selected organization or vender must have previous experience serving unsheltered and at-risk populations, and have experience partnering with community-based organizations.
Proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2021.
Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has been allocated $388 million in ARP Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, approved by Congress to meet the most urgent needs of communities across the country as they rebuild from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The first round of ARP funding went to COVID-related emergency needs, including $45.2 million for Public Health and eviction prevention. Metro Council and Mayor Fischer developed priority areas for ARP spending: Public Safety; Public Health; Homelessness and Affordable Housing; Workforce Development; and Healthy Louisville/Healthy Neighborhoods. Earlier this week, the Mayor and Metro Council outlined an ordinance proposing to spend $262.9 million of ARP funding on critical initiatives to address public safety challenges and homelessness, build more affordable housing for the community, continue to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognize the efforts of public employees.
A virtual information session for this RFA will be held on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, 2:30 p.m. at:
For more information, visit www.louisvilleky.gov/accelerator.