Sarah B. Hunter

Sarah B. Hunter is a Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, Director of the RAND Center on Housing and Homelessness, and a Senior Behavioral and Social Scientist at the RAND Corporation. Her work focuses on vulnerable populations, implementation science, and evidence-based program delivery. She holds a PhD and MA from UC Santa Barbara and a BA from NYU.

Education:

• PhD and MA in Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara
• BA in Psychology, New York University

Research Interests: Sarah’s research addresses homelessness, substance use disorders, mental health, and healthcare integration. She emphasizes continuous quality improvement (CQI) and policy evaluation, particularly in community settings. Her work often intersects with federal initiatives, such as improving veteran homelessness programs and scaling evidence-based practices.

Recent Articles: Her 2025 studies include analyses of Los Angeles’ unsheltered populations, opioid treatment implementation in mental health centers, and federal funding strategies for scaling health interventions. Earlier work includes evaluations of housing programs and substance use treatment sustainment.

Awards & Service:

• Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science (APS)
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment
• Member of the Veteran and Community Oversight and Engagement Board (VA campus development)
• Core Faculty, Implementation Research Institute (Washington University)

Grants & Labs: Sarah collaborates with NIH grant panels and has advised projects such as the Housing for Health program. Her work is supported by federal and state grants focused on healthcare and social service system improvements.