Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today introduced the Community Assistance for Persons with Mental Illness Act, which strengthens the safety net for people who are homeless and mentally ill by providing them with housing and financial counseling upon their release from inpatient or residential institutions.

The legislation designates funds already allocated to state and local governments under the community development and community mental health services and substance abuse block grant programs to housing and financial literacy education.  Qualifying housing counseling would include information on how to apply for public housing, housing assistance and tax credit programs and housing laws.  Qualifying financial counseling would include information on saving, managing credit, long-term care, estate planning, predatory lending, identity theft, financial abuse schemes and work incentives.

“The Community Assistance for Persons with Mental Illness Act seeks to help a group of people who have very few resources available to them as they navigate the confusing array of programs and services designed to provide them with support,” Congresswoman Johnson said.  “The right information could make all the difference to someone who is trying to find stability in his or her life.”

Congresswoman Johnson introduced similar legislation in the 110th Congress.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.