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N.Y.C. Council speaker calls on Mayor Eric Adams to resign; KY could do more to protect kids from accidental drug ingestion, shootings; OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty, DeWine budget cuts; Protesters say Trump administration actions 'cast aside democracy.'

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On a Middle East visit, Sen. Richard Blumenthal rejects a Gaza takeover. President's Day protests erupt around the country against White House moves, and another aviation accident draws attention to recent FAA cuts.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

AL expands housing support for people with mental illness

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Monday, January 6, 2025   

Housing help is on the way for people in Alabama with mental health issues. A legislative committee has approved a new contract to help secure housing for them.

Birmingham-based nonprofit Navigate Affordable Housing will manage the initiative, to increase housing availability for Alabama's most vulnerable populations.

Bryan Penn, privacy officer for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, explained the contractor's role.

"The contractor will provide performance-based professional services," said Penn, "to secure, promote, increase, and facilitate statewide affordable supportive housing options - for those with mental health problems who are homeless, in jails, and emergency departments."

The group's $500,000 contract will be funded equally by state and federal sources. HUD data shows Alabama's homeless population grew more than 39% between 2023 and 2024.

Penn said the nonprofit will partner with the state housing finance authority - and create a housing plan that includes mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services.

He elaborated on what this could mean for Alabamians in need.

"It will help people have housing, it's for people who don't have housing, don't have any place to go," said Penn, "and housing could be halfway house, it could be apartment, it could be more than likely something that other agencies are involved with."

Despite the recent increase in homelessness, Alabama remains one of only 13 states with fewer than 10 homeless individuals per 10,000 residents.




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