San Francisco plans hotel conversions for sober living transitional housing program

The San Francisco County government meeting on March 10, 2025, focused on significant amendments to the planning code aimed at addressing homelessness through innovative housing solutions. The discussions highlighted a new ordinance that would allow hotels and motels to be repurposed for interim housing without losing their tourist designation, a move intended to diversify shelter locations across the city.

Supervisor Dorsey emphasized the importance of supporting long-term recovery for individuals struggling with addiction, expressing gratitude for the proposed sober living pilot program. This initiative aims to provide transitional housing for those committed to sobriety, marking a critical step in addressing homelessness in a client-centered manner.

Veronica Flores from the planning department reported that the Planning Commission had previously approved the ordinance with anticipated amendments. Deputy Director Emily Cohen from the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing elaborated on the ordinance's intent to incentivize hotel owners to collaborate with the city in providing shelter, particularly in light of feedback received from stakeholders.

The ordinance includes provisions that exempt interim housing from typical development standards, streamlining the process for hotel owners. It also specifies that certain hotels, previously used as shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic, can regain their tourist status without extensive bureaucratic hurdles once they cease operations as shelters.

Cohen noted that the amendments were developed through extensive community engagement, addressing labor concerns and ensuring that existing hotel staff would be retained wherever possible. The meeting concluded with a call for public comment, inviting community members to share their thoughts on the proposed changes.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collaborative effort to tackle homelessness in San Francisco by leveraging existing resources and fostering partnerships with local hotel owners, while also prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations. The next steps involve further review of the amendments by the Planning Commission before final approval.