Board approves drug‑free PSH measure on first reading after amendments to limit evictions and require alternative placements

Supervisor Dorsey sponsored Item 41, legislation to require that new city‑funded site‑based permanent supportive housing (PSH) include a drug‑free option, direct the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to survey residents about preferences, and adopt standards for eviction and relocation intended to avoid returns to homelessness.

Dorsey said the measure responds to resident demand for choices and includes safeguards to minimize evictions, including a requirement that HSH offer alternative housing or shelter with services before an eviction can occur. He characterized the proposal as incremental, applying only to new city‑funded PSH and not altering state‑funded PSH or existing drug‑tolerant sites.

The measure prompted debate over terminology and process. Several supervisors and stakeholders argued "drug tolerant" is a clearer term consistent with state law, while others preferred language such as "sober" or "abstinent" to avoid stigma. Some members opposed allowing shelter as a relocation option; others said removing shelter undermines HSH's operational ability to preserve drug‑free communities in edge cases.

The board adopted a Dorsey/Cheryl amendment to emphasize making good‑faith efforts to avoid evictions and to prioritize comparable alternative housing; a subsequent Fielder amendment to further restrict relocation options failed. Item 41 passed on first reading as amended (10 ayes, 1 no recorded in a later roll call; final roll calls show passage on first reading and adoption of the Dorsey amendment).