Behavioral Health Treatment Beds and Housing in California: An Explainer

Since 2019, California has invested significant funds to expand access to treatment for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. This new funding supports a range of options from intensive residential treatment to supportive community-based housing. However, stakeholders may lack a comprehensive view of the range of these beds and housing options. Those working on the treatment side of the system may not be aware of housing options, and vice versa.

Behavioral Health Treatment Beds and Housing in California: An Explainer maps out the full range – or continuum – of treatment beds and housing, where people with mental health and substance use disorder may be placed or reside for more than 24 hours. It includes the following for each level of care:

• A high-level description of support provided
• Examples of beds and facilities
• New and proposed funding sources aligned with bed or housing type so stakeholders can understand what funds might be available to their programs

Putting Treatment Beds and Housing Together

By outlining the range of available treatment beds and housing options in one place, this explainer seeks to inform policymakers, providers, patients, and advocates working to improve access and coordination of care. These continuums provide perspective on existing options and show where there are opportunities to improve care.

April 29, 2024: This paper was updated to reflect the passage of California Proposition 1 in the March 2024 election.