New housing program aims to support addiction recovery in Mississippi

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- A new partnership is aiming to help Mississippians in recovery find stable housing.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health and Open Doors Homeless Coalition announced the R.I.S.E Housing Program during a press conference at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport on Thursday.

R.I.S.E stands for ‘recovery and integration through stable environments.’ The program provides housing vouchers to adults leaving residential substance use treatment.

It will serve Mississippi’s six southernmost counties including Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George, Stone, and Pearl River.

Executive Director Dena Wittman said, “Hearing the two speakers that we had today, who can offer up their personal experience and expertise of having gone through substance abuse and come out on the other side and to talk about the challenges and how they talk about the importance of stable housing providing that foundation. It was really incredible to hear about their journeys.”

Organizers say stable housing can help lower the risk of relapse.