From:
To: Mary Gourley
Cc:
Subject: Homeless services for Sebastopol area unhoused Date: Tuesday, October 04, 2022 3:59:11 PM
Hello MaryI see that the Council agenda tonight includes requests for funding for SAVS and WCCS at Horizon Shine. If funding is not forthcoming it is likely that the 25 people now being served will end up in circumstances where they are again scrabbling to stay alive in our City and outlying areas. The report from SAVS indicates that in the 9 months that Horizon Shine has been open, about 10 % have been able to get jobs and/or permanent housing. This is pretty good when you consider that most of the HS clients have been chronically homeless. That means they have some kind of disability which has contributed to their being unhoused for at least a year, but more likely at least 5 years. Two of the biggest barriers to moving into jobs and housing are mental issues and abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Services to overcome those barriers are generally provided by gounty governmnet and they are in very short supply.
While I think it is critical to keep continued funding from the county to continue providing shelter and services at Horizon Shine and ask that you provide some of them and request them other funders, , I hope you will consider making requests that Sonoma County alcohol, drug and mental services be provided in amounts directly proportional to the population of the Sebastopol Area. We are fighting an uphill battle with chronically unhoused people unless they can access such services more often than is now the case.
Sebastopol has been and is spending nearly 50% of its General Funds for police services. I believe that calls for services have declined in s=respnse to the housing that has recently been provided at Park Village, Elderberry Inn and Horizon Shine. IF WE CAN INCREASE THE SUPPORTIVE SERVCES SUCH AS AODS AND MENTAL HEALTH, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE CALLS FOR POLICE SERVICES CAN DECLINE.
Please request continued funding for Horizon Shine, and request funding from AODS and Mental Health Services for Sebastopol Area clients proportionate to the poulation of our area.
Sincerely
Gale Brownell
Housing Advocate