"Too often, I think drug-tolerant environments can contribute to chaotic and difficult situations, especially for people in recovery and sobriety," said Supervisor Matt Dorsey.
Permanent supportive housing is designed to give people who've been homeless an opportunity for housing, but the supervisor says it's not working.
"In San Francisco today, fully 26% of our overdose fatalities are happening in permanent supportive housing. That is the largest segment of overdoses in the city, more than private residences, more than the street," said Dorsey.
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The proposal passed through the committee last week and is on its way to the Board of Supervisors next month for a final vote. If it passes, the use of illicit drugs will become grounds for eviction.
"My legislation will require that if somebody is being evicted from a drug-free environment, they'll be prioritized to be in a drug-tolerant alternative. Exits to their evictions to the streets will be nonexistent or rare," said the supervisor.
However, critics of the proposal are concerned that it will perpetuate homelessness.
"We want to make sure that people who have substance use disorders are able to thrive, that they're able to recover. And that requires stable housing," said Jennifer Friedenbach. "Very few people are going to even be willing to move into housing in recovery, knowing if they do return to use, they would lose their homes."
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Of the city's roughly 9,000 site-based permanent supportive housing units, only a fraction are currently drug-free. Friedenbach says there are reasons for that, including relapse being a part of recovery.
"You want people to be honest," said Friedenbach. "You want people to talk about if they return to use, but nobody's going to tell their folks that they've returned to use if that means they're going to lose their housing, so they're going to keep it quiet. Also counter to recovery values."
Supervisor Dorsey reiterated that people will also have the option of state-funded supportive housing, which does not prohibit the use of illicit drugs.