OCO committee urges mayor and supervisors to fully fund DPH mental‑health programs

The Our City, Our Home Oversight Committee on April 24 recommended that the mayor and Board of Supervisors fully fund all mental‑health programs at the funding levels proposed by the Department of Public Health for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The committee voted to send that recommendation to the mayor and board.

The committee’s recommendation followed a presentation from committee staff and comments from David Adelman, a Department of Public Health budget analyst, who described how locally appropriated acquisition funds and potential state bond awards would interact with the department’s capital and operating plans. "If we're awarded state Proposition 1 bond funds . . . we would be able to use that to supplement the previously appropriated, OCO funds," Adelman said, and he noted that state funding for Proposition 1 is restricted to capital, while operating funds would come from other sources including Prop C.

Why it matters: Committee members emphasized expanding residential and step‑down housing to reduce returns to the streets after treatment. Member Friedenbach said the expansion of residential care and step‑down housing is "so badly needed," and argued that stable housing is essential for people recovering from substance use disorders. Public commenters told the committee that service gaps and delays still leave some families and individuals without needed access to care and shelter.

What the committee recommended and voted on: Committee staff summarized the liaison recommendation as asking the mayor and the Board of Supervisors to accept DPH’s proposed budget for both fiscal years. Member Walton moved the recommendation, Member Haddix seconded, and the committee then held public comment before taking a roll‑call vote. The motion passed by roll call; recorded yes votes included Vice Chair D'Antonio, Member Friedenbach, Member Haddix, Member Schifrin, Member Walton and Chair Williams. Member Jackson was noted as recused and absent for the item; several other members were absent or recused per the roll call.

Context and next steps: Adelman told the committee the Geary Stabilization Unit — funded with Prop C and referenced during the discussion — is soft‑launching services on a Monday shortly after the meeting. He said one‑time OCO acquisition funds appropriated in prior budgets remain available to move projects from scoping to development, and that state capital awards would help supplement those funds. The committee’s recommendation is advisory; implementation depends on the mayor and Board of Supervisors and on departmental contracting and capital schedules.

The committee then proceeded to later budget items on shelter, hygiene and housing.