Mission Street Recovery Station sees increased use; county staff asked to study gaps for stays longer than 24 hours

The Santa Clara County Public Safety & Justice Committee on April 10 received a report on the Mission Street Recovery Station (MSRS), a county-supported sobering and recovery site that provides short-term stabilization, referrals to treatment, and housing navigation.

Committee members and county staff described a steady increase in use and raised questions about repeat clients, referral sources and the legal limit on how long people can stay. Supervisor Cindy Ellenberg and Supervisor Susan Lee pressed for clearer tracking and options for people who need more than the facility’s statutory 23 hours and 59 minutes.

MSRS is operated under contract by a community provider, Horizon, and provides services to people released from custody, transported from law enforcement as alternatives to booking, and walk-ins who need a safe place to rest and be connected to treatment. County and contractor staff said utilization has increased; average daytime occupancy is roughly 12–15 clients of a 20-client capacity, with leftover capacity on many days. Staff said about 40% of referrals come…