July 17, 2025

NJAMHAA and the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness (NJCEH) are proud to announce that The State of New Jersey has authorized legislation that approves behavioral health treatment to be provided in homeless emergency shelters. The Department of Health, Office of Licensing and the Department of Health and Human Services/Medicaid have confirmed that behavioral health treatment can be integrated into homeless emergency shelters and, furthermore, the services can be billed to Medicaid.

This collaboration validates the increasing recognition that since 85% of the homeless population are in shelters, incorporating programs to address social determinants of health in those shelters will improve both short- and long-term outcomes for the 50% of shelter clients who need behavioral health services. These statistics were determined through a survey conducted and scored by Mathematica Policy Research.

“For decades, NJAMHAA has advocated to bring mental health and substance use services to individuals who need them on-site — ‘meeting them where they are’ — and that certainly includes emergency shelters,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA. “Since so many homeless individuals have behavioral health issues and conversely, those with mental illnesses and substance use disorders may be at risk of becoming homeless if they do not receive the services they require, this is a ‘marriage made in heaven’ to bring these services where they are needed. I have great confidence that through our collaboration with the NJCEH, tremendous strides will be made toward realizing this critical goal.”

Click here for more details.