Supporters of sober housing have mentioned these environments are particularly vital as cities like San Francisco proceed to confront homelessness and dependancy, together with its ongoing fentanyl disaster. However the proposal is prone to face pushback from some homelessness advocates, who’ve lengthy warned that sobriety necessities can change into a pathway to eviction.
Haney mentioned the brand new invoice is supposed to offer readability for housing suppliers, native governments and other people in restoration who desire a sober dwelling surroundings. In keeping with Haney’s workplace, AB 1556 would permit restoration residences to take care of sobriety requirements, whereas requiring a “non-punitive” response when somebody relapses, together with connecting residents to various housing and providers fairly than kicking them out of this system and pushing them again into homelessness.
Housing California, a statewide inexpensive housing advocacy group, has already listed its opposition to AB 1556, citing considerations about residents being required to decide on restoration housing and harm-reduction housing choices.
Newsom’s veto final 12 months didn’t dismiss restoration housing outright. As an alternative, he mentioned the state ought to proceed engaged on methods to help recovery-focused fashions with out undermining Housing First.
