San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed today joined City leaders and community advocates to celebrate the opening of a new transitional housing program that expands treatment and recovery services for justice-involved women and their children. The Women’s Treatment Recovery Prevention Program is an expansion of the Healthy Evolving Radiant (H.E.R.) House, a women’s gender-responsive alternative sentencing transitional housing program, designed due to high demand and successful outcomes.

The new facility will support 39 women and children for up to 2.5 years to address a range of unique needs, stabilize, and receive wraparound care. Managed by Positive Directions Equals Change and Westside Community Services, enrollment is currently underway with 17 women already housed.

“This program will transform lives across multiple generations, helping women and their children to be together and build the foundations they need to thrive,” said Mayor London Breed. “When we invest in recovery, we can break down the barriers and we can lift people up. Addiction is complicated, but solutions like the Women’s Treatment Prevention Program will provide the support to give these women and their children the opportunity to grow stronger together.”

“The opening of the Women’s Treatment Recovery Prevention Program is a vital step forward in our commitment to support people on their path to recovery,” said Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “However, the need for more sober housing options citywide is critical. Providing safe, stable, and supportive environments is essential to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.”

The Women’s Treatment Recovery Prevention Program addresses clients' unique needs through cultural sensitivity, breaking down systemic barriers, fostering community support, offering holistic care including trauma care, reducing stigma, and empowering families towards lasting recovery. Participants have opportunities for childcare and counseling services once stabilized.

The new space offers private and semi-private rooms with individual bathrooms. On-site social services and security aim to foster safety as participants work towards independence.

WTRP is a partnership between Positive Directions Equals Change, Westside Community Services, the Adult Probation Department (APD), and San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH). Funding comes from Our City Our Home initiative supporting transitional housing with an abstinence-based philosophy.

“Providing women struggling with substance abuse access to comprehensive supportive services is transformative,” said Chief Cristel Tullock of APD. “This program underscores the critical need for more programs advancing women's health.”

“SFDPH is rapidly expanding our system of care,” said Director Dr. Grant Colfax. “By investing in interventions we can provide supportive environments where families are three times more likely to enter recovery.”

Both Positive Directions Equals Change and Westside Community Services have served BIPOC communities in San Francisco for decades offering specialized support groups among other services.

“What we are doing here is supporting women to build their own power,” said Cedric Akbar of Positive Directions Equals Change.

“By opening this program we create a sanctuary where every woman can rise,” added Dr. Mary Ann Jones of Westside Community Services.

As part of Mayor Breed's broader strategy addressing substance use disorder challenges several additional programs have been initiated including:

- Minna Project: transitional housing with behavioral health services

- Salvation Army Harbor Lights: residential withdrawal management

- Transitional "step-down" housing: providing wraparound support after residential treatment

- TRP Academy: peer-led reentry therapeutic teaching community

- Billie Holiday Center: Reentry Navigation Center providing rapid connection resources

San Francisco supports various services for those experiencing mental illness or addiction; last year approximately 15,000 individuals accessed substance use disorder services within SF Health Network continuing investment in specialty treatment prevention efforts alongside long-term housing options via other departments such as HSH & APD not reflected within SFDPH budget.

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