San Francisco Non-Profit Salaries Under Scrutiny Amidst Homelessness and Overdose Debate

San Francisco, CA – A recent social media post by journalist Susan Dyer Reynolds has ignited discussion around the compensation of non-profit executives and the effectiveness of addiction services in the city. The tweet specifically criticized Lydia Bransten of the Gubbio Project and an unnamed individual from Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC), alleging high salaries and links to significant drug overdose deaths within supportive housing programs.

"Are you kidding? Lydia Bransten of Gubbio, $800K a year Glide CEO, and a dude from THC, which has the 2nd most drug OD deaths in its 'supportive housing' — these are your addiction 'experts'? Experts on encouraging and maintaining addiction maybe. 🤦🏻‍♀️ ⁦@welcometomannys⁩" stated the tweet.

Records indicate that Lydia Bransten serves as the Executive Director of the Gubbio Project, a San Francisco-based non-profit. As of August 2022, Bransten's reported salary was $80,398. The $800,000 compensation figure cited in the tweet appears to refer to Karen J. Hanrahan, the former CEO of GLIDE, another prominent San Francisco non-profit, who received over $805,000 in compensation in 2023. Bransten is not the CEO of GLIDE.

The Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC) has been identified in recent reports as one of the top providers of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) in San Francisco with a high number of drug overdose fatalities. Between 2020 and 2025, 156 overdose deaths occurred in buildings operated by THC, placing it second among PSH providers. This data highlights the severe challenges faced within the city's supportive housing system.

The tweet was directed at @welcometomannys, referring to Manny's, a civic and community space in San Francisco known for hosting public discussions on pressing urban issues, including homelessness and addiction. These forums often feature diverse perspectives on the city's harm reduction strategies and the ongoing opioid crisis.

San Francisco has been grappling with a severe drug overdose epidemic, with 3,772 accidental overdose deaths recorded between 2020 and 2025. Approximately 25% of these fatalities, or 875 deaths, occurred within the city's Permanent Supportive Housing facilities. The high concentration of deaths in PSH has fueled public debate and criticism regarding the efficacy of current approaches to addiction and homelessness.