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Expert Advocates Recovery-Based Housing Over Housing First

4/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Tom Wolf, an expert, argues California should replace Housing First with recovery-based housing to address addiction and mental illness.
He notes the current Housing First approach does not require sobriety.
A Los Angeles program costing $300 million had 40% of placed residents return to the streets.
He backs shelter tied to sobriety and cites a San Francisco model, planning to promote his message at a national homelessness summit.

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Story summary

Tom Wolf, an expert, argues California should replace Housing First with recovery-based housing to address addiction and mental illness.
He notes the current Housing First approach does not require sobriety.
A Los Angeles program costing $300 million had 40% of placed residents return to the streets.
He backs shelter tied to sobriety and cites a San Francisco model, planning to promote his message at a national homelessness summit.