Mental Health Care for
Unhoused and Justice-Involved Persons

Many individuals in our region face overlapping challenges related to mental illness, substance use, housing instability, and justice involvement. These complex realities often make access to consistent, coordinated care difficult. Across the Bay Area, numerous organizations and programs are working to meet these needs—each with unique expertise and perspective.

Established in Fall 2025, this Special Initiative seeks to create a community of scholars at Stanford and clinical- and policy-stakeholders in the Bay Area who are devoted to identifying opportunities for innovations and sharing best practices to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations affected by housing instability and involvement in the legal system. Areas of interest include scientific questions to be addressed and opportunities for research on care innovations for unhoused and justice-involved persons; policy and systems engagement opportunities with community-based organizations and public entities that serve unhoused and justice-involved persons; and education and training opportunities for clinicians, trainees, and partners.