Board approves emergency ‘core initiatives’ ordinance to speed homelessness, mental‑health response, 10–1

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 approved an ordinance amending the administrative code to establish “core initiatives” intended to strengthen the city’s response to homelessness, substance use and behavioral‑health crises. The ordinance passed as amended by a 10–1 roll call vote, with Supervisor Walton the lone dissent.

Proponents said the measure gives city leaders the tools to move faster on shelter, treatment and outreach while preserving legislative oversight. Supervisor Chan, who led the budget committee through the item, said the committee agreed to technical edits and circulated amendments that, among other things, limit non‑governmental donations accepted for the initiatives to $10 million and clarify publication timing and the 45‑day filing clock; Chan noted the authority granted under the ordinance would be time‑limited to Jan. 8, 2026.

“[The amendments] really help narrow the scope of the behest waiver, and…adding more oversight to this legislation,” Supervisor Chan said, explaining committee changes and thanking staff and the mayor’s office for collaborating on the text.

Supporters framed the ordinance as a necessary, expedited tool to address a worsening overdose and homelessness crisis. Supervisor Fielder said she would vote in favor while warning that the measure represents an unprecedented transfer of responsibility to the mayor’s office.

“Today, I am voting in support of Mary Lurie’s fentanyl emergency ordinance aimed at tackling the fentanyl and overdose crisis with expediency,” Supervisor Fielder said, adding that the ordinance “is an unprecedented transfer of power and a significant transfer of responsibility to mayor Lurie to transform street conditions over the next year.”

Opponents said the board was being asked to cede broad authority without seeing a plan or reliable fiscal estimates. Supervisor Walton, who voted no, said the board lacked a concrete implementation plan and clear fiscal analysis and described the package as risking a “blank check.”

“This is probably the most vivid example of putting the cart before the horse I have seen…we do not have a plan in front of us,” Supervisor Walton said, adding that the fiscal impact is hard to estimate and that the measure could produce what he called “at least a $100,000,000” in unanticipated costs.

Supervisor Mahmood and others urged prompt action to expand treatment and shelter capacity, particularly in high‑need neighborhoods such as the Tenderloin; Mahmood said the ordinance would “cut through the red tape to allow government action on an issue that requires immediate urgency.”

The clerk called the roll on item 13 as amended: Engadio — Aye; Fielder — Aye; Mahmood — Aye; Mandelmann — Aye; Melgar — Aye; Sauter — Aye; Sheryl — Aye; Walton — No; Chan — Aye; Chen — Aye; Dorsey — Aye. The clerk recorded 10 ayes and 1 no; the ordinance passed as amended.

The ordinance includes the circulated amendments described at the board presentation, and supervisors noted the measure includes a statutory‑style deadline for the enhanced authorities to expire on Jan. 8, 2026. Supporters said the board will retain oversight and that the administration must deliver a plan for staffing and opening treatment beds and shelters; critics urged further specificity on costs and guardrails.

The board moved on to other business after the vote; the ordinance’s implementation will be overseen through the mayor’s office and the board’s standard oversight and committee processes.