TheWayOutSF

Our goal is simple: help people get off the streets, overcome addiction, and rebuild their lives. The impact is real. 77% of people who come through our recovery programs move on to productive, stable lives.

Our Executive Director, @SteveAdami of @TheWayOutSF, joined leaders at American Enterprise Institute’s @AEI Solutions Summit to share what we’ve learned on the frontlines of homelessness and addiction recovery.

Today, Mayor Daniel Lurie @DanielLurie visited @TheWayOutSF's Hope House following San Francisco’s preliminary 2026 Point-in-Time Count results, which show street homelessness has reached its lowest recorded level since 2011.

Homelessness and addiction are not just challenges we face here in San Francisco. For several years, they defined our city.   That narrative didn’t always capture the full story of our city, but it also wasn’t entirely wrong.   When more than 800 people died of overdose in 2023, how could we expect San Franciscans—or anyone else—to feel like we were at our best as a city?   I felt like we had lost our way.   When I would take my kids to school, I couldn’t explain to them why someone was doing drugs in a bus stop at 8:00 in the morning. And I couldn’t explain to them why we weren’t doing anything about it.   So I ran for mayor to change it. Today, San Franciscans feel like our city is on the right track, and, I’m proud to announce incredible progress:   ➡️Unsheltered homelessness in San Francisco is now at its lowest level in 15 years. ➡️Since 2024, unsheltered homelessness is down 22%. ➡️The number of people in tents is down 85%. ➡️And homelessness is down overall. ➡️ Nearly 1,000 fewer people are sleeping on our streets compared to 2024—a major sign that our strategy is working.   These numbers come from the 2026 Point in Time Count. And while the data is preliminary, the takeaway is clear: More people are coming inside to get shelter and treatment, and we are moving in the right direction.

14 years ago @ACSOSheriff intervened- they cared for me when I was incapable of caring for myself. My family never gave up. My #madaad mamas give me purpose. And the women in recovery? They scooped me up and showed me how to live life on life's terms. One day at a time 🙏🏼💜

“The legislation would require all city-funded permanent supportive housing to be drug-free, adopting the same lease rules governing evictions for illicit drug use that apply to every standard residential lease in San Francisco.” thevoicesf.org/give-recovery-…

Hot off @TheVOSF press- "Give recovery a chance": Push for Drug-Free Housing gains momentum, with Dorsey at the helm. @SteveAdami @mattdorsey @RafaelMandelman @BrookeJenkinsSF @CampaignCedric @Twolfrecovery @missamberreid @MHurabiell thevoicesf.org/give-recovery-…

Drug-free housing options is a no-brainer. SF is now at 30% of all OD deaths happening inside "supportive" housing. Let's get this passed @mattdorsey ~ then let's go for STATE changes 🙏🏼 #WeDoRecover #RealRecovery

Feeling stuck in a crisis right now? Hope starts the moment you choose to reclaim your life. The Way Out turns your toughest moment into a clear path forward. You don't have to face this alone.

In 2025, San Francisco's fatal drug overdose numbers surpassed every other county in the country but one: Baltimore. We spoke with advocates and city leaders about the plan to tackle this crisis. More here: abc7news.com/18909564/

Recovery 1st: Our mid-year Impact Report continues to demonstrate success. In just 6 months: • 990 people served • 54,903 nights of homelessness reduced • 79% success rate From the streets to self-sufficiency, this is what a Recovery System of Care delivers.

We don’t manage homelessness & addiction - WE SOLVE IT! Through our Recovery System of Care we’re getting people off the streets, off of drugs, and helping them build a new life. When you build the full pathway, recovery happens. #RecoveryWorks

Very proud of @ConnectedSF & @CSFInstitute for driving civic engagement and supporting amazing leaders in our city like @Twolfrecovery and @SteveAdami The progress we have made in SF in the fight against drug tourism - and in support of recovery - has been phenomenal! BRAVO!

Yesss! I was in San Francisco last weekend and stopped in my tracks when I saw this bus stop promo for @TheWayOutSF championed by We Heart Seattle’s Board Vice Chair @Twolfrecovery @SteveAdami and many more recovery advocates to stand up the first of its kind clean and sober housing with tax dollars. @DanielLurie has proclaimed SF a “Recovery First” city. It’s that easy… start to change the drug friendly culture with words that matter. @MayorofSeattle @ExecZahilay @SeattleCouncil We are ready for this in Seattle.

I just bumped into my old pal Sarah. She’s still working the program. What an incredible transformation and proof recovery 1st works. @salvationarmysf @TheWayOutSF

Recovery 1st! Wells Place represents what’s possible when we invest in recovery, abstinence, accountability, & community. Giving addicts back their lives - This is @TheWayOutSF

Hope House is a sober shelter, and in the first six months since opening, it has achieved an impressive 78% success rate in moving residents into supportive housing or other long-term recovery programs.  Hope House ensures that people struggling with addiction aren’t surrounded by the same drugs and alcohol they are trying to leave behind. The program, led by the Salvation Army, centers on sobriety and recovery.  As Supervisor Matt Dorsey said during our tour, many problems begin to solve themselves when drugs and alcohol are removed from the equation. We still have work to do on our streets, but we will keep doubling down on solutions that are working.

What if one evening could help someone rebuild their life? Join us May 14 at The Conservatory at One Sansome for the Lighting the Way Gala supporting @TheWayOutSF, helping people recover from addiction and homelessness. Learn more: lightingthewaysf.org

Recovery is possible with high quality programs like Hope House, run by our partners at @salvationarmysf @TheWayOutSF. It’s just one example of the changes SF is making to help people break cycles of addiction and homelessness, and reclaim their lives.

Hope House is the only abstinence-based shelter in SF history. On days like this, seeing participants enjoying the park together is a beautiful reminder that recovery, new beginnings, and brighter futures are possible. Recovery 1st! @TheWayOutSF