Toolkit Coordinating Systems of Care to Provide a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Crisis Response to Individuals Who are Homeless

Housing is widely understood to be a social determinant of health in the United States, yet behavioral health crisis response systems and homelessness systems operate separately, impeding holistic approaches to stabilization. Stronger coordination between these systems can enhance the power of available resources, mitigate crises, and promote recovery for individuals who are homeless with behavioral health needs.

This brief suggests strategies to enhance crisis care through multilevel coordination and describes practical approaches that systems of care can deploy to strengthen collaboration. 

Sections include: 

• Crisis Prevention and Early Mitigation
• Enhancing Crisis Response
• Ensuring Continuity Post-Crisis
• Enhancing Community Partnerships
• Opportunities for HUD Continuums of Care and Behavioral Health Systems

*This toolkit was updated in July 2026 to reflect current policy and resources.