Bill to Lift Funding Ban on Clean and Sober Housing Heads to the Governor’s Desk with Bipartisan Support

SACRAMENTO, CA— Assemblymember Matt Haney’s (D-San Francisco) legislation that would open the door to more drug-free housing options for people recovering from addiction has passed both houses of the Legislature and now heads to the Governor’s desk for a signature. The bill cleared the Senate floor with an overwhelming bipartisan 39-0 vote.

Assembly Bill 255 would allow local governments to use up to 10% of state homelessness housing funds to support sober living programs—an option that’s currently off-limits under California law.

The bill takes aim at a major flaw in the state’s “Housing First” policy, which was adopted in 2016 to lower barriers to housing. That model prohibits programs receiving state funds from requiring sobriety—even for people who want to live in a clean and sober environment.

“With fentanyl and other deadly drugs taking lives every day, we can’t ignore the needs of people who are ready to get clean and stay clean,” said Haney. “We should be supporting recovery, not standing in the way of it.”

The measure doesn’t just create more choices for supportive housing, it also offers a safety net. If someone in a sober living environment relapses, they won’t be kicked out. Instead, the bill directs them to detox and peer support services in a harm reduction based housing to help them stabilize and keep moving forward.

“When someone has done the hard work to get sober, we should honor that effort and help them stay on the path to recovery. This legislation will help continue our work to stand up the right kind of beds and deliver the types of services and treatment that people need,” said Mayor Lurie. “Thank you to Assemblymember Haney, our state partners, and the community groups who worked with us to pass this impactful legislation. I look forward to Governor Newsom signing it into law.”

Ensuring access to sober housing is critical for people who want a real chance at recovery. “People who want recovery shouldn’t have to live next to active drug use,” Haney said. “Sober housing works because it builds a community of accountability, compassion and shared commitment to staying clean.”

The bill now sits on the Governor’s desk pending a signature.