Community Housing Partnership will host a participatory panel discussion and workshop on the intersection between access to treatment and access to/ retention of affordable housing.  Speakers: Residents of supportive housing, social workers, experts in the field of treatment services. 

Too many SF residents are left out of our affordable housing opportunities and remain on the streets because mental health and substance use issues get in the way.  Residents of affordable housing also may face eviction, landing them into homelessness, due to untreated mental health and substance use challenges. Yet those who desperately want treatment are met with long waiting lists, unaffordable costs, time limits and stringent eligibility criteria.

To address the cycle of homelessness, we must address the need for free, easily accessible, culturally sensitive, same day treatment services.  In 2008, San Francisco voters passed a Treatment on Demand measure. Treatment on Demand means no barriers to services for those who want it.  Unfortunately, this city did not follow the will of the voters and low income San Franciscans today face a staggering number of obstacles to obtaining the help they need.  The panel will also introduce participants to the work of the Treatment on Demand coalition, which aims to make the 2008 measure a reality and learn ways individuals and organizations can get involved in pushing for fully funded and easily accessed services for all, therefore removing one more barrier to affordable housing.  

***Light Dinner Will Be Served