AUGUSTA - Rep. Laura Supica, D-Bangor, introduced LD 1116 Tuesday before the Legislature's Labor and Housing Committee, which would require MaineHousing to contract for the construction of at least 15 certified recovery housing units throughout Maine.
The recovery homes would provide rural Maine mothers recovering from substance use disorder a safe and secure option for seeking treatment that would serve the entire family, not just the individual suffering from addiction.
"Mothers with substance use disorder face unique challenges, including stigma, limited access to health care and lack of housing," said Supica. "For these women, finding safe and stable housing is crucial to their recovery journey and the health and wellbeing of their children. This bill provides hope for parents suffering from addiction in the parts of our state that are typically underserved, allowing them to be able to pursue recovery while staying a part of their children's lives."
Studies show that safe and supportive housing during outpatient substance use treatment is essential for successful and lasting recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration finds that peer support for those in recovery can be especially successful, particularly when offering family-centric and culturally appropriate services.
The bill would also establish the Rural Recovery Residence Fund to support the certified housing units and the peer-to-peer recovery model they would employ. MaineHousing would distribute these funds through a competitive grant process to recipients who would provide matching funds.
The committee heard testimony in support of the measure from individuals in recovery and those offering housing and substance use disorder recovery services throughout Maine. One such organization, the McAuley Residence, is a multi-generational program that provides sober housing, career coaching, child care and treatment for families affected by substance use disorder in Bangor and Portland. The McAuley Reisdence model has resulted in a 78% success rate of residents remaining in recovery after completing the program.
"Demand for access to McAuley Residence far outweighs our current capacity," said Executive Director of the McAuley Residence Melissa Skahan. "This model is proven to break the generational cycle and allows women to settle into evidence-based treatment, continuous capacity building, productive engagement and participation in community. LD 1116 provides expansion opportunity which serves Maine well."
The bill will have a work session in the Labor and Housing Committee in the coming weeks.
Supica is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 22, part of Bangor. She serves as House chair of the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Supica], 305-965-2744