HOMES with HEART: Work begins for UTHealth Houston recovery housing project expansion

Published: October 14, 2026

“Biggest blessing anyone could have in recovery.”

“This house is exactly what I needed.”

“One opportunity here turned into a lifetime of hope.”

These are just a few examples of feedback from Project HOMES residents, and the UTHealth Houston addiction recovery science researchers behind this project have recently received $25 million to continue to grow recovery housing in Texas.

This funding will enable the creation of the HEART with HOMES Initiative, which combines the existing foundational expertise of Project HOMES with the momentum and resources of HEART (Housing Expansion for Access to Recovery for Texans) — all with the goal of continuing to enhance recovery housing throughout Texas.

“What excites us most about HEART is the opportunity to deepen our partnership with the community,” said Kathryn Gallardo, PhD, LMSW, assistant professor and a project co-lead for HEART. “HEART positions us to expand services and build sustainable recovery infrastructure all across Texas — support that is accessible, responsive and shaped by the community.”

In December 2025, the team received notice that the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council would be awarding it $25 million for HEART. At the end of June 2026, the contract began. Over at least the next three years — with the option to extend an additional two years — the team will focus on expanding access to recovery housing across the state.

The team will leverage its experience from Project HOMES as it looks to double its reach and impact in service of Texans in recovery through HEART.

“The most impactful thing we learned from HOMES is that best practices for MOUD?supportive recovery housing work — and they work powerfully,” said Serena A. Rodriguez, PhD, MPH, assistant professor and project co-lead. “By strengthening recovery homes with evidence?based approaches, we’ve been able to significantly increase linkages to essential supports that help people stabilize and thrive.”

Project HOMES currently supports the operations of 13 sober living homes across Texas, which provides structured recovery-oriented housing and resources for their residents. The project partners with individual recovery homes in Austin, El Paso, Houston, and San Angelo. In the coming months, the team will open new recovery housing in Kerrville. Each house has its own unique culture and community, and all house managers are in recovery themselves. This provides them with essential insights into how best to support residents, some of whom take medication as part of their individual recovery journeys.

Medically assisted recovery is an approach where a person takes medication to ease the physical symptoms of addiction. Recovery without medication does not work for everyone, and medically assisted recovery can significantly reduce the risk of opioid overdose and death. Since 2021, Project HOMES has been dedicated to learning how the combination of medically assisted recovery, peer coaching, and a stable space can help people in recovery.

“Recovery homes are saving lives,” said J. Michael Wilkerson, PhD, MPH, associate professor and project co-lead. “Through HOMES, we’ve already supported more than 700 people on their path to sustainable recovery.”

Learn more about Project HOMES by visiting the project’s website. Learn more about CoLab, the UTHealth Houston research collective responsible for the HOMES with HEART Initiative, at its website.