Murphy administration allocates nearly $50 million from opioid settlements for housing, treatment and maternal health
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy announced Tuesday that New Jersey will invest nearly $50 million from opioid settlement funds to expand housing, treatment access and maternal health services as part of the state’s ongoing response to the opioid crisis.
The $47.84 million allocation comes from the New Jersey Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund and brings the total amount of state-level opioid settlement resources committed to prevention, treatment, recovery and community supports to more than $324 million.
“The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on every corner of our state and nation. My Administration has made it a priority to bring together public health experts, service providers, clinicians, and those with lived experiences to help us better understand this crisis and maximize the use of our opioid settlement funds,” Murphy said. “With today’s announcement, we are building on our historic investments into life-saving and life-altering programs that have had a tangible impact on New Jerseyans combating addiction. Together, we have infused more than $324 million into our most vulnerable communities to reduce harm, empower families and individuals, and support sustained recovery.”
State officials said the new investments are intended to expand treatment infrastructure, reduce barriers to care and strengthen services that support long-term health and stability.
“These investments reflect New Jersey’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based care,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, who chairs the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council. “By investing in stable housing, strengthening access to timely treatment, bolstering harm reduction and recovery supports, and expanding maternal health services, we are directing resources to programs that make a meaningful difference to help individuals and families achieve long-term health and stability.”
The funding package includes $15 million to expand access to community-based substance use treatment for uninsured individuals and $8 million for capital investments such as facility repairs, modernization and mobile treatment units. An additional $10.5 million over three years will support new housing and wraparound services for medically complex individuals in Essex County, while $4.86 million over three years will expand the Keeping Families Together supportive housing program to reach up to 35 additional families.
The state also will invest $6.2 million over two years to launch a Perinatal Center of Excellence pilot program offering integrated maternity, behavioral health and substance use treatment services, as well as $3 million to monitor and evaluate opioid settlement-funded programs. Another $250,000 will fund a study examining administrative barriers to care.
“In New Jersey, statistics have shown that more than 40 percent of families involved with the child welfare system lack safe and stable housing. Our Keeping Families Together program has been a critical component in providing supportive housing and wraparound services for more than 600 families navigating substance use and addiction recovery, family safety concerns, and who, without this evidence-based intervention, would have likely been subjected to family separation and deeper end involvement in the child protective service system,” said Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “During these challenging economic times, I am excited that this grant will allow us to reach up to thirty-five more at-risk families and help them remain safely together as they receive access to the supports and services they need to thrive.”
Health officials said maternal health remains a key focus of the new funding.
“Substance use disorders remain the leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths in New Jersey, and that’s not a statistic we can accept,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “This nearly $50 million investment builds on the Murphy Administration’s relentless focus on addressing the overdose crisis, and the Perinatal Centers of Excellence pilot reflects our commitment to ensuring no mother has to navigate treatment and pregnancy care in silos.”
The allocations were recommended by the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council, created in 2022 to guide the equitable use of opioid settlement funds. New Jersey and its local governments are expected to receive more than $1 billion in opioid settlement payments over the next 20 years.
