It’s been four years since San Francisco launched a comprehensive plan to address drug abuse and homelessness, and the results are in: the city has made significant progress in reducing both. In 2019, San Francisco had an estimated 8,000 homeless residents, many of whom struggled with drug addiction, including the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. Today, that number has been reduced by over 40%, with only 4,500 homeless residents remaining in the city.
“We’ve made tremendous strides in reducing homelessness and drug abuse in San Francisco,” said Mayor London Breed. “But we still have a long way to go. We need to continue investing in supportive housing and addiction services to ensure that everyone in our city can live with dignity and security.”
The city’s plan, which focuses on providing supportive housing, addiction treatment, and other support services, has been successful in reducing drug addiction and homelessness. Over the past four years, San Francisco has added 5,000 units of supportive housing, providing homes for more than 6,000 formerly homeless individuals. In addition, the city has provided addiction treatment to over 10,000 residents.
“Our goal was to provide compassionate care to our most vulnerable residents, and we’ve been able to do that,” said Supervisor Matt Haney. “But we also recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done.”
The city’s investment in supportive housing and addiction treatment has paid off, with drug overdoses decreasing by over 60% since the plan was implemented. Fentanyl overdoses, in particular, have decreased by over 80%. The city has also seen a significant reduction in drug-related crime, including drug dealing and theft.
However, despite the progress made, there are still challenges to be addressed. The cost of providing supportive housing and addiction treatment is significant, with the city spending over $1 billion on the plan over the past four years. Ongoing funding will be needed to ensure that these services continue to be provided.
“We know that investing in supportive housing and addiction treatment is expensive, but it’s the right thing to do,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “We need to continue to prioritize these programs if we want to see lasting change in our city.”
The road ahead is long, but San Francisco is making progress in addressing drug addiction and homelessness. With continued investment in supportive housing and addiction treatment, the city can ensure that all of its residents can live with honor and dignity.