Rep. Adam Smith Introduces Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act to Strengthen the Nation’s Mental Health Response System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today introduced the Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act of 2025, which is legislation to expand access to one-stop crisis stabilization centers that provide behavioral health services, housing support, and wraparound care under one roof. The bill establishes a new federal grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services to help states, counties, cities, tribal governments, and territories create and sustain local crisis care facilities.

“Our country’s behavioral health crisis system is stretched thin,” said Representative Adam Smith. “We must equip our communities with resources to better respond to the nationwide mental and behavioral health crisis. This bill provides the resources communities need to create one-stop centers that offer immediate stabilization, treatment, and connection to long-term supports like housing and case management.”
 

Endorsements:

This bill is endorsed by National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance to End Homelessness, International Community Health Services, King County Housing Authority, RI International, Seattle Housing Authority, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Compass Housing Alliance, and Sea Mar Community Health Centers.

Supportive quotes:

“Behavioral health care is an essential part of whole person health, both in moments of crisis and as part of ongoing primary care. Our communities are experiencing unprecedented levels of behavioral health needs. It is imperative that helping people meet these needs be as simple and as effective as possible. The Behavioral Health Crisis Centers Act takes a significant step towards this goal. ‘One-stop' sites that offer behavioral health crisis care and a range of health care and wraparound services will make a difference in long-term health outcomes. International Community Health Services is grateful to Rep. Smith for leading on this issue.”
— Kelli Nomura, Chief Executive Officer, International Community Health Service

"The King County Housing Authority appreciates Congressman Smith's steadfast commitment to addressing the behavioral health and housing needs of people living in our region. Crisis Care Centers are exactly the type of investment we need to be making to ensure an array of services are available for community members who are struggling with complex behavioral health and substance use disorders. This is a critical component of our region's efforts to address the homelessness crisis. This legislation would also support proactive outreach to high needs populations and tenants of subsidized housing programs - including those operated by KCHA - for stronger health and housing stability outcomes."
— Robin Walls, President/CEO, King County Housing Authority

“In too many communities, people experiencing a mental health crisis are not able to get the help they need. Representative Smith's Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act will help build out the continuum of mental health crisis response services across the country. This bill will move us closer to the goal of ensuring that every person in crisis receives an effective, humane response and is treated with dignity and respect."
— Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

"The Seattle Housing Authority applauds Representative Smith for introducing this legislation to address the increasing behavioral health needs that are impacting so many people. We have seen firsthand the impact the pandemic has had on our residents. We make every effort to connect people to help so we can keep them housed safely but the current system is overburdened and does not have the resources to provide response and care for the growing number of people in serious crisis. This legislation would provide a relief valve for those in crisis and that is something that is needed. We are very appreciative of Congressman Smith's recognition of this deeply concerning situation and his action to expand options for treatment."
—  Rod Brandon, Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority

"We appreciate Representative Smith's critical leadership in mustering much-needed federal support for local behavioral health crisis care systems, which, ideally, can act as one-stop centers to connect people with the service providers they need. His Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act could help to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are prioritized for housing and the services they need to stay safely and securely housed."
— National Alliance to End Homelessness


Background:
The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act authorizes $11.5 billion annually from FY2026 through FY2030 to fund the establishment, operation, and expansion of crisis stabilization centers nationwide. These centers would serve as coordinated entry points for individuals in crisis, providing behavioral health and substance use treatment, housing assistance, and connections to other services including legal aid and workforce support.

Under the bill, eligible entities—including states, counties, cities, tribal governments, and territories—could use funding for a range of activities such as:

• Constructing or acquiring crisis stabilization facilities
• Hiring and retaining behavioral health and peer support staff
• Coordinating with emergency response, housing, and health systems
• Conducting outreach to vulnerable populations, including youth and unhoused individuals
• Providing training in trauma-informed and culturally competent care

Local governments would also have the flexibility to subgrant funds to nonprofit service providers, ensuring coordination with community-based organizations that specialize in housing, recovery, and mental health outreach.

Behavioral health crisis care systems across the United States remain underdeveloped due to inconsistent funding and coordination. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), crisis stabilization facilities are a critical part of a comprehensive behavioral health system, providing immediate support and connection to care for individuals in acute distress.

The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act builds upon the national rollout of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that when people call for help, there is a place in their community ready to respond.

In Seattle, programs such as the Downtown Emergency Services Center’s Crisis Solutions Center have demonstrated how short-term crisis stabilization coupled with long-term service coordination can reduce strain on emergency rooms and law enforcement while improving outcomes for individuals in crisis. The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act builds on this model, creating a national framework for accessible, community-based crisis care.

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.