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6d ago

San Francisco Pushes Drug‑Free Supportive Housing After Newsom Veto

City leaders are turning to local policy after a state veto left recovery housing to existing guidance that requires sobriety to be voluntary and bars eviction for relapse.

Supervisor Matt Dorsey, shown in a file photo, is expected to introduce proposals this week to help San Francisco open sober housing sites for the formerly homeless. 
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Overview

  • Supervisor Matt Dorsey introduced legislation to restrict use of San Francisco dollars for new drug‑tolerant permanent supportive housing and to expand sober and recovery‑oriented options.
  • The proposal defines three models of supportive housing in the city: drug‑tolerant sites, drug‑free sites that bar illegal drug use, and recovery‑oriented housing for people pursuing sobriety.
  • It also calls for a survey of roughly 9,000 residents in site‑based supportive housing by 2026, with findings due to the Board of Supervisors by January 1, 2027, to gauge demand for each model.
  • Dorsey will seek a formal opinion from the state attorney general, via the city attorney or district attorney, on how state homelessness dollars can lawfully support sober housing.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 255, citing duplication and a costly oversight regime, and pointed to July guidance allowing recovery housing if participation is voluntary and residents are not evicted solely for substance use; supporters and advocates remain divided over funding priorities and relapse policies.