AHCCCS Housing Programs

AHCCCS provides several permanent supportive housing programs throughout Arizona alongside supportive health services to help members in need. Our housing programs are provided to members with a designation of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and some services are provide for members with a General Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder (GMHSUD). Providing supportive housing services not only helps members gain and maintain housing, it also helps lower utilization of emergency and crisis services. AHCCCS provides supportive housing services to approximately 3,000 members across the state.

Overview of AHCCCS Supportive Housing

The AHCCCS Housing Program (AHP) consists of both permanent supportive housing and supportive services. The majority of AHCCCS available housing funding is reserved for members with a designation of Serious Mental Illness (SMI), although limited housing is provided for some individuals without an SMI designation who are considered to have a General Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder (referred to as “GMHSU”) need. For persons with GMHSU needs, housing priority is focused on persons identified with increased service utilization including crisis or emergency services and/or services addressing complex chronic physical, developmental, or behavioral conditions. For a limited number of units within the program, eligibility is further based upon receipt of specific behavioral health services such as an Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team.

The AHP is community-based permanent supportive housing where a member should have a renewable lease, the right of entry and exit (not restricted by program), and can voluntarily select services. Housing subsidies are provided for permanent supportive housing scattered site units (Scattered Site Program), dedicated site-based units (Community Living Program), and in projects where a portion of the units have been set aside to serve AHP members (Project Based Vouchers). All subsidized rental units must meet or exceed all federal minimum Housing Quality Standards (HQS) of health and safety, as well as any additional State requirements, and have a reasonable rent based on market standards. Members are expected to pay up to 30% of their income toward their rent while the balance is subsidized by the program. This subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the contracted AHP Housing Administrator on behalf of the member/household. AHP funding can also provide for housing related supports and payments such as deposits, move-in assistance, eviction prevention, and damages related to member occupancy. Funds for these purposes are limited based on budget availability. Behavioral Health Residential Facilities, Group Homes, or other licensed clinical residential settings are not eligible for AHP participation.

AHCCCS recognizes that supportive services are critical to housing stability. Therefore, AHCCCS and the AHP promote a Housing First model in accordance with best practices as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). Supportive services for members in AHCCCS subsidized housing are funded by Medicaid and supplied by the managed care health plans’ provider network.

The State allocation for AHP is for approximately 2,700 members throughout Arizona. Arizona’s State Legislature allocates Non-Title XIX/XXI General Fund money to AHCCCS annually to provide permanent supportive housing. The most recent AHP utilization statistics can be found on the dashboard provided by the current Housing Administrator here.

Demonstration Proposal - AHCCCS Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O)

AHCCCS has requested an amendment to the 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver to seek waiver and expenditure authority to implement the AHCCCS Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) demonstration. Learn more information on the proposal.