WARREN — The Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board has secured $284,426 in state funding to support its recovery housing program.

The grant comes as the county faces a critical need for substance use disorder treatment services amid Ohio’s ongoing opioid crisis. The funding, awarded through Ohio’s Community Development Block Grant Recovery Housing Program, will provide critical rent subsidies for up to 200 low-income residents transitioning from treatment programs into certified recovery homes.

The Ohio Department of Development distributed $1.2 million to 11 counties, with Trumbull receiving the second−largest behind LucasCounty’s $303,076 award.

Lauren R. Thorp, associate director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board, said the funds will help offset recent cuts to other housing assistance programs.

“This stabilizes our ability to provide housing support at current levels,” Thorp said. “We had to reduce assistance after our state addiction services grant was cut by nearly 40% this fiscal year.”

The new funding comes at a critical time. According to board data, all contracted recovery homes in Trumbull County have operated at full capacity throughout 2024, with wait times stretching up to six weeks during peak periods. The county partners with eight certified recovery housing providers offering a combined 175 beds.

The recovery housing program serves individuals earning no more than 50% of the area median income, which equates to $26,200 annually for a single person in Trumbull County. Qualified participants can receive up to 12 months of rental assistance to help them maintain stable housing during their recovery journey.

As part of the program requirements, all recipients must actively participate in approved substance use treatment programs.

The assistance package also includes comprehensive case management services to help connect participants with additional resources and support systems.

The Ohio Department of Health reports Trumbull County’s overdose death rate remains 34% higher than the state average, which shows the need for expanded recovery services.

“This isn’t just about housing, it’s about creating the stability needed for long-term recovery,” Thorp said, noting program participants have a 72% sobriety retention rate at one year compared to 40% for those without housing support.

The funds originate from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and will be available for disbursement starting July 1. Board officials say they’re exploring additional funding opportunities to address the county’s estimated 300-person gap in recovery housing availability.

Mahoning County will receive $109,678 to assist 121 Ohioans in recovery by providing safe and structured sober housing options.

Duane Piccirilli, executive director of the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board, which applied for the funding, said the money will go to two facilities in Youngstown operated by Broadway Recovery Services. One has 12 beds, is for women and is located at 205 Gypsy Lane. The other has 18 beds, is for men and is at 210 Broadway Ave. In both instances, the funding is for the next 12 months.

Piccirilli said it “speaks volumes” for the mental health and recovery programs in Mahoning and Trumbull counties that both counties received such large grants through the program.