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Supervisors back ordinance to prioritize people leaving residential behavioral-health programs for supportive housing
Summary
An ordinance approved on first reading directs the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to prioritize people exiting residential behavioral health programs for supportive housing placements and coordinate continuity of care with the Department of Public Health.
The Board of Supervisors on May 15 passed on first reading legislation intended to reduce “revolving door” cycles for people with serious behavioral health and substance-use conditions.
Supervisor Sheehy, sponsor of the measure, said the city currently discharges people from residential treatment with no guaranteed housing or uninterrupted care and that many return to the street and relapse. The ordinance requires the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to give priority in the coordinated entry system to adults discharged from residential behavioral-health programs and to coordinate with the Department of Public Health to ensure supportive services continue after placement.
Sheehy cited statistics and examples shared in committee: thousands of people go through residential behavioral health programs annually and some return to the street after discharge because housing and services were not available. The ordinance aims to make supportive housing placements with DPH-guided staffing available so individuals can remain in treatment and stabilize.
Board members supported the “breaking the cycle” framing and unanimously advanced the ordinance on first reading. Supervisor Sheehy was added as a co-sponsor by colleagues during the meeting.
