Facing the increasingly severe homelessness and drug crisis in California, on May 5, 2025, California Assemblyman Matt Haney announced the introduction of a new bill, AB 255, in front of the San Francisco City Hall. This bill aims to allocate 25% of the state’s homeless housing funds to support “Drug-free” detox housing, providing assistance to homeless individuals who are eager to overcome addiction.
This new bill has gained support from various organizations including Mayor Daniel Lurie, Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, the Bay Area Council, Salvation Army, and hundreds of residents in San Francisco.
Since 2016, California has implemented the “Housing First” policy, which emphasizes providing housing unconditionally without requiring residents to undergo substance abuse treatment. However, even for those actively seeking a drug-free living environment, adequate support has been lacking. With the proliferation of deadly drugs like fentanyl, many experts and advocates believe that the current policies are insufficient to meet the needs of individuals seeking sobriety and a drug-free lifestyle.
Introduced by San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney, the AB 255 bill allows local governments to allocate up to 25% of state homeless housing funds to support detox and sober living programs. These housing facilities require residents to maintain sobriety and offer peer support and recovery services. The bill explicitly states that if a resident experiences a relapse, detoxification and support services will be provided instead of immediate eviction, demonstrating a compassionate and supportive approach to the recovery process.
Haney stated that many individuals aspire to stay drug-free and should not be forced to live with drug users. “Fentanyl remains the top cause of death among our state’s 18 to 44 age group,” he said. “Our state currently completely prohibits the use of state government funds to support drug-free recovery housing.”
Supporters believe that AB 255 addresses the current needs. Mayor Lurie expressed that San Francisco is facing a dual crisis of homelessness and drugs, with current policies making it difficult for those striving to overcome addiction to find supportive housing. The AB 255 bill is expected to change the status quo, bringing individuals indoors to provide truly effective assistance.
However, there are also scholars who remain skeptical. Benjamin Henwood, a researcher at the University of Southern California, mentioned that based on their survey of nearly 300 homeless individuals in Los Angeles, only 6% expressed interest in residing in detox housing, raising doubts about the actual demand for such housing.
Currently, the AB 255 bill has unanimously passed the California Assembly Housing Committee and has received bipartisan support in the Health Committee, with further review pending in the Appropriations Committee.