Board approves measure to require drug-free option in new city-funded permanent supportive housing, adds eviction-avoidance safeguards

The Board of Supervisors on July 14 passed on first reading an ordinance that requires city-funded new site-based permanent supportive housing (PSH) to include an option prohibiting illicit drug use on-site, while preserving protections and a participatory rulemaking process intended to minimize evictions.

Supervisor Dorsey, the ordinance sponsor, framed the measure as giving residents choice and described it as narrowly targeted to new city-funded PSH rather than state-funded programs or existing drug‑tolerant units. “This legislation is an incremental approach. It ensures that only new city funded permanent supportive housing will prohibit illicit drug use on-site,” Dorsey said, emphasizing the option-based nature of the policy.

Dorsey cited California law (Welfare & Institutions Code §8255) when distinguishing Housing First/‘drug tolerant’ leases used in many PSH programs from a distinct, drug‑free option. He and supporters said evictions would be rare because residents voluntarily opt into a drug‑free community and because the ordinance requires the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) to make good-faith efforts to offer comparable alternative placements with the goal of avoiding evictions.

Opponents and some supporters pressed on language and implementation details. Supervisor Fielder and others urged stronger guardrails to prevent relocations to shelters; Fielder proposed and the board considered amendments that would remove shelter as a relocation option and require confirmation of comparable alternative housing prior to displacement. The board adopted an amendment (Dorsey/Cheryl) to add an explicit eviction-avoidance provision and defeated Fielder’s shelter-removal amendment.

Board action: the Dorsey–Cheryl amendment emphasizing efforts to avoid evictions passed by roll call (10–1). After additional debate and a subsequent roll call, the ordinance as amended passed on first reading. Sponsors said a participatory rulemaking process and subsequent HSH regulations will refine eviction protocols and relocation definitions.

Next steps: the ordinance will return for further readings and the board directed HSH to participate in inclusive rulemaking and to report on how comparable placements will be identified and offered. Implementation will depend on HSH staffing and availability of comparable PSH units or other placements.