San Francisco faces obstacles to 'Recovery First' housing

San Francisco's "Recovery First" housing initiative, supported by Mayor Daniel Lurie, aims to prioritize treatment for drug and alcohol abuse over harm reduction. Despite its intentions, the city lacks permanent sober living options for individuals recovering from substance abuse, according to critics. Facilities like the Drake Hotel and Civic Center Motor Inn provide interim housing but do not lead to long-term solutions. Randy Shaw from the Tenderloin Housing Clinic states that individuals must either return to environments with drug use or leave the city after their temporary stays. In early 2024, a significant opportunity arose to establish California's first permanent alcohol-free supportive housing facility, but community protests halted its progress.

The city’s approach to housing has become complicated by state funding policies that discourage drug-free requirements for supportive housing. Assemblymember Matt Haney has introduced legislation to allow cities to allocate state funding for sober living programs. The ongoing challenges reflect a broader struggle to balance recovery and housing needs in San Francisco.