Tom Wolf Joins Discovery Institute to Challenge Housing-First Policy

Wolf’s perspective is rooted in his own path to recovery. After a 2017 surgery led to an opioid prescription, he spiraled into heroin and fentanyl dependence, eventually living on the streets of San Francisco. Following a period of incarceration and successful inpatient treatment, he transitioned into a career as a policy advocate. He currently serves as the West Coast Director for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions and Director of City Partnerships for Sunflower Sober.

His appointment signals a shift in the Discovery Institute’s advocacy against the prevailing Housing First model. Proponents of this new approach argue that providing housing alone fails to address the underlying root causes keeping individuals on the streets. By emphasizing treatment, accountability, and recovery, the institute aims to influence federal and local policy. Discovery Institute President Steve Buri noted that Wolf’s personal history provides a unique credibility that is increasingly sought by communities grappling with the intersection of homelessness and mental health crises.