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Newsom Vetoes California Bill Allowing Homelessness Funds for Sober Housing

Backers say cities still lack clear authority to fund drug‑free housing.

Overview

  • Assembly Bill 255 would have let local governments direct up to 10% of state homelessness funding to recovery housing that is drug‑free by design.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom said the measure was unnecessary and would create a duplicative, costly program, pointing to state guidance he says already permits funding for recovery housing.
  • The governor’s office referenced a July 2025 final guidance clarifying that state money can support sober housing when abstinence is a participant’s choice, which Haney’s office said it had not seen until reporters requested clarification.
  • The bill proposed a new state certification and oversight system for recovery housing with an estimated first‑year cost of about $4.12 million, with fees unlikely to fully offset expenses.
  • Supporters, including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, warned the veto could slow efforts to expand drug‑free options and noted AB255 included protections so residents would not be evicted solely for relapse.