Office of the Mayor
City of Santa Rosa
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 10
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
January 28, 2022
The Honorable Robert Hertzberg
Senate Majority Leader, California State Senate
State Capitol Building, Room 313
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SB 513 (Hertzberg) California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program: Grants: Homeless Shelters: Pets and Veterinary Services - Notice of SUPPORT (As Amended 01/03/2022)
Dear Senator Hertzberg,
The City of Santa Rosa is pleased to support your SB 513, which would require the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), subject to an appropriation in the annual Budget Act, to develop and administer a program to award grants to qualified homeless shelters for the provision of shelter, food, and basic veterinary services for pets owned by people experiencing homelessness.
California has seen an alarming spike in homelessness over the past decade, with a significant increase in the number of unsheltered people in our communities. Cities and counties statewide are at the forefront of responding to this crisis by working across silos to find creative and innovative ways to guide homeless youth, families, seniors, and veterans, along with their pets, into shelter and care.
Homeless individuals often rely on pets for safety, emotional support, companionship, and affection.
When a shelter does not allow for pets, homeless persons often must choose between staying in a shelter and leaving their pets. Sam Jones Hall Shelter in our city was one of the first shelters in the state to allow pets, not just service animals. We are encouraged by this legislation and working with our nonprofit partners to provide additional services in our shelter.
The City of Santa Rosa supports SB 513 (Hertzberg). Shoul d you have any questions please contact our legislative advocate, Sharon Gonsalves, with the Renne Public Policy Group, at (916) 974-9270.
Sincerely,
Chris Rogers, Mayor
CC: Senator Mike McGuire
Assemblymember Jim Wood
Assemblymember Marc Levine