MaiHeaven

Behavioral-health housing, answered plainly

What are the long-term housing options for an adult with serious mental illness?

The real options for stable, supported, permanent housing — and where to start.

Adults with a serious mental illness (such as schizophrenia) can access long-term supported housing funded through Medicaid behavioral-health HCBS waivers, usually paired with a community team (like ACT — Assertive Community Treatment). SSI typically covers room and board. Start with your state behavioral-health/Medicaid agency or SAMHSA’s free helpline, 1-800-662-HELP.

Supported housing + a community team

The goal is stable, permanent housing with support — not a revolving door of crisis placements. Medicaid behavioral-health HCBS waivers pay for residential support and services, and many people are served by an ACT/community mental-health team that comes to them. This is the “most integrated setting” approach (Olmstead).

Source: Medicaid.gov, HCBS — medicaid.gov.

Where to start

Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — free, confidential, 24/7 — for treatment and support referrals, and contact your state behavioral-health or Medicaid agency about the waiver. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Source: SAMHSA National Helpline — samhsa.gov.

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Related

About Mai Heaven: this page is educational, not eligibility advice. We build small, permanent supported homes for adults who are hard to place. Join the waiting list and we’ll reach out when a home opens near you. Need help now? Call or text 988, or dial 211.