Supervisors accept amendments and forward ordinance to create voluntary drug‑free permanent supportive housing

Supervisor Matt Dorsey on Thursday moved amendments to an ordinance that would add a city policy prioritizing drug‑free, site‑based permanent supportive housing (PSH) and require procedures for evictions and resident surveys; the Board committee accepted the changes and forwarded the item to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

Dorsey read new language that would require an operator to obtain confirmation from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) that a resident offered alternative housing or shelter before carrying out an eviction for illicit drug use. "It will guarantee that no resident of drug‑free supportive housing will ever be evicted for a single relapse," Dorsey said, adding the ordinance also preserves access to drug‑tolerant housing options and includes a rule‑making process.

Why it matters: The ordinance seeks to add a voluntary option for residents who prefer a drug‑free environment while imposing procedural safeguards meant to prevent evictions into homelessness. Supporters framed the proposal as expanding choice for people in recovery and protecting sobriety; opponents cautioned it risks displacing people who relapse and urged stronger placement guarantees into other PSH units.

Supporters at the hearing included recovery advocates and residents who said a sober environment can be essential to recovery. "This ordinance is about choice, dignity, accountability, and life," said Richard Beal, director of recovery services for Tenderloin Housing Clinic and a person in long‑term recovery. Tom Wolf, a recovery advocate, told the committee: "From 2020 to 2025, 4,090 people died of a drug overdose in San Francisco," arguing more recovery‑oriented housing options are needed.

Opponents and tenant advocates pushed back during a lengthy public‑comment period. Lucas Ila of the Coalition on Homelessness said the ordinance omits an explicit guarantee that someone facing a second relapse would be placed in a drug‑tolerant PSH unit and asked the committee to add that protection. Several speakers said eviction threats could prompt people to conceal use and avoid treatment. "Relapse is part of recovery," one commenter said, warning that a single night of return to use should not cost someone their home.

Dorsey defended the amendments and the broader approach, saying the measure is not intended as the only model of PSH in San Francisco. He cited endorsements from addiction‑medicine experts, noting support from Dr. Keith Humphreys and Dr. Anna Lembke, and emphasized that the ordinance pairs rule‑making with resident input to refine implementation.

The committee voted 3–0 to accept the amendments and forward the item to the full Board as a committee report. The ordinance will next be considered by the full Board of Supervisors on July 14, 2026.

What happens next: The item is scheduled to appear before the full Board as a committee report on July 14. The ordinance includes a rule‑making process and surveys that HSH must carry out as it implements the new options and eviction protocols.