CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
Meeting Date: July 18, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: City Council/Staff Liaison to Unhoused –
Vice Mayor Diana Rich/ Kari Svanstrom, Planning Director Subject: Quarterly Report on the Unhoused
INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE:
This quarterly report on the unhoused is submitted by Vice Mayor Diana Rich, as City Council Liaison to Service Providers for the Unhoused, and by Planning Director Kari Svanstrom, as Staff Liaison to Oversee Issues Related to the Unhoused.
This quarterly report is submitted pursuant to the direction of the City Council at the regularly scheduled meeting of September 20, 2022, which directed the two appointed liaisons to provide quarterly reports on the unhoused to the City Council. This report is the report for the 2nd quarter of 2023.
DISCUSSION:
WCCS Homeless Outreach Coordinator
The City of Sebastopol contracts with West County Community Services to provide a full time Homeless Outreach Coordinator to serve the needs of the unhoused population. Maria Ricco, who goes by “Ricco,” is Sebastopol’s Homeless Outreach Coordinator. Her report (see attachments) provides the numbers and statistics that capture the overall portrait of our current population of people living on our streets. Please see attached report, which includes statistics on contact with individuals, .
Horizon Shine
The Horizon Shine RV Village opened in February of 2022 and has remained operational since then. The property is owned by St. Vincent de Paul Sonoma County, leased to Sonoma Applied Village Services (SAVS). Horizon Shine provides a much needed safe, sanitary, compassionate, and respectful location for RVs and other lived-in vehicles.
Wrap around services are included, with a focus on improving the lives of those residing there. SAVS’ report is a separate item from this report, as they are required by their Temporary Use Permit for the operation of the safe parking site to provide quarterly reports to both the City C ouncil and Planning Commission. Note, this report will also be presented as a regular agenda item to the Planning Commission at their meeting on July 25, 2023.
Park Village
Park Village is a property owned by the City of Sebastopol. Since 2017, it has been managed by West County Community Services. Currently, 119 individuals live at Park Village. It is a mobile home park that also includes two RV pads; tiny homes; two city-owned apartments that were recently rehabilitated with Federal funds, and a manager’s unit. Park Village provides 19 living units (mobile home spaces or apartments) that are offered at market rates, plus 12 living units that are offered at heavily subsidized rates to provide housing to those with very limited incomes. A full-time case manager provides case management and supportive services to Park Village residents.
WCCS also employs a Resident Manager who lives onsite and provides oversite and tenant services to all residents.
Elderberry Commons
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Elderberry Commons is currently owned by the County of Sonoma. It has been providing temporary housing to Covid-vulnerable elderly. Elderberry Commons is undergoing changes now that the pandemic emergency has ended. The intent is to convert the facility to permanent supportive housing. The 31 rooms will be renovated as part of the process, with a specific goal of adding kitchen facilities to each room.
The County has assured the City of Sebastopol that all current residents are being provided assistance in finding substitute living arrangements. This is a changing situation, in flux as this Staff Report is being drafted. Supervisor Lynda Hopkins has committed to providing a Town Hall presentation for the residents and businesses of Sebastopol, in order to share information and answer questions. The County has developed an FAQ which can be found here:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/ElderberryFAQ.
City administration, as well as the Liaisons submitting this report, are in communication with key County representatives and have been assured that the City will be kept informed of developments. West County’s Continuum of Care representative Una Glass is actively monitoring the situation and is also in active communication with County representatives. Please see the Informational Statement and FAQ from the County included in the attachments. Additionally, the County will be hosting an informational Town Hall Meeting regarding the transition of Elderberry Commons on May 1, 2023 at 6 pm via zoom (details to follow).
Warming Center
One of the recommendations made by the Ad Hoc Committee for the Unhoused was that the Director of Emergency Services develop a warming/cooling center plan and incorporate it into the City’s Emergency Operations Plan, that the Fire Department budget include funding for warming/cooling centers, and that WCCS be considered for possible oversight of warming/cooling centers. That recommendation was adopted by the City Council on April 19, 2022.
The Emergency Operations Plan is in the process of being updated, and is intended to include a warming/cooling center plan. The current fiscal year budget includes $600 in funding for warming/cooling centers.
It is worth noting that although a formal warming/cooling center plan has not yet been developed, this community has shown itself to be ready and willing to take action without the formality of a “plan” when the need is great.
That was the case in December of 2022, when the Community Center, SAVS, advocates for the unhoused, and volunteers came together to open a warming center during a particularly cold winter period. The $600 in funding was accessed to reimburse the Community Center for staff costs associated with the December 2022 warming center. The City’s current practice is to provide transportation to any unhoused needing shelter when the weather is particularly harsh. Our police department offers this service to anyone, no questions asked. The effectiveness of this safety net is proven by the fact that our unhoused have availed themselves of the service, and have been transported to shelters as they requested. Although this may not be an effective measure in some communities, in ours, with officers who have fostered respectful relationships with the unhoused, it’s proving to be quite effective.
It is expected that the Director of Emergency Services will provide a recommendation to the City Council on the appropriate approach to the warming/cooling center issue when the updated Emergency Operations Plan is submitted to the Council for approval.
Continuum of Care Report
The Sonoma County Continuum of Care is responsible for coordinating the homeless services system of care.
Governed by a seventeen-member Continuum of Care Board, the countywide effort is responsible for oversight of funds designated to the Continuum of Care and planning/policy development for addressing homelessness, and is involved in funding distributions and recommendations regarding issues involving the unhoused. One of the seats on the Continuum of Care is for a representative from West Sonoma County. The Sebastopol City Council appoints the West County representative to the Continuum of Care. Our current appointee is Una Glass, former City Councilmember and former Mayor. Please see Una Glass’s report included in the attachments.
Future Funding
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
The City is part of the Joint Powers Authority with the Unincorporated County and other smaller cities in the County, and have begun the process of recommending funding to the Board of Supervisors for distribution of a large number of Federal and State funds related to homelessness, affordable housing, and supportive services. These draft recommendations include funding for WCCS Homeless Outreach Coordinator and Rapid Rehousing Programs and SAVS Horizon Village. These recommendations will be heard as part of a public hearing by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission and Cities and Towns Advisory Committee (a JPA, with Sebastopol represented by Planning Director Svanstrom, current chair of this committee) on April 19, and be finalized by the Board of Supervisors in the coming months, for funding during fiscal year 23-24. The summary of recommendations that will be heard on April 19 is attached to this report.
GOALS:
City Council Goals
Goal 5: Provide Open and Responsive Municipal Government Leadership
5.3.3. Encourage and increase public awareness of City Policies, decisions, programs and all public processes and meetings, by investigating effective methods of communication and obtaining feedback from the community.
General Plan Goals
Policy D-6 – Work to prevent homelessness and support housing services to the homeless.
Action CHW 5c: Practice an open-door policy in City programs, and actively engage and encourage participation from all individuals regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, class, disability, sexual orientation, and gender.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the City has not received any public comment. However, staff anticipates receiving public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report.
Such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of the agenda item.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to schedule meeting date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None, informational only
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive Report
Attachments:
WCCS Homeless Outreach Coordinator Report
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
City of Sebastopol
Homeless Services Outreach Coordinator (HSOC)
June 2023 Report
Submitted: July 6, 2023 by Maria Rico
Refer people without homes to Coordinated Entry as proper:
Introduction
As HSOC, my primary responsibility is to identify and aid homeless individuals in our community. This report outlines the referrals and services provided to homeless individuals over the past month.
Referrals to Coordinated Entry
As directed, I enrolled 8 homeless individuals to Coordinated Entry to place them in the housing prioritization list for Sonoma County. The Coordinated Entry Evaluation Report for this past year stated that the average days from assessment to a housing referral is 205.3 days. I offered shelter referrals to all the unhoused population to the CNS in Guerneville, COTS in Petaluma and Sam Jones in Santa Rosa. I was able to refer 1 female to the CNS and she was successfully admitted.
Provision of Basic Needs
In addition to referrals, I also provided basic needs to the homeless individuals. I was able to offer aid such as the free lunch provided every Saturday afternoon by the following Churches: Sebastopol Christian Church, Sebastopol Community Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and the Sebastopol Methodist Church. I was able to obtain some donations from the churches to distribute such as lunch bags, socks, clothes, hygiene products, gas vouchers and garbage bags. As always, the Barnabas program continues to do an excellent job offering donation and volunteer-based services by the Sebastopol community such as the free breakfast, 15-minute showers and lunches to go at the Sebastopol Christian Church every Monday and Thursday from 7:30 am- 11am as well as free Laundry Day every other Tuesday at the Hi-Tide Laundromat. During Barnabas they also provide socks, hand warmers, pet food, clothes and sleeping bags.
Furthermore, I am proud to report that the HSOC partnered with the Sonoma Clerk-Record office at the Social Worker Day event at the Sebastopol Library. The purpose of this partnership was to provide confirmation of homeless status by signing affidavits to waive the application fees for requesting birth certificates. This partnership allowed us to serve the homeless community in a more effective manner by removing one of the barriers that prevent them from obtaining necessary identification. I was able to provide 1 ID voucher and 1 Birth Certificate Affidavit for a disabled senior and 3 Birth Certificate Affidavits for a mother and two children.
Conclusion
Overall, I am pleased with the progress made in helping the homeless individuals. The enrollment to Coordinated Entry and provision of basic needs show that we are making significant strides in addressing homelessness in the community of Sebastopol. Additionally, the partnership with the Sonoma Clerk-Record office further underscores our commitment to helping the homeless obtain the necessary identification to access services.
Represent WCCS at relevant meetings:
Introduction
As part of my role as HSOC, I have been representing West County Community Services (WCCS) at relevant meetings in the community. This report outlines the meetings I have attended and the information shared on behalf of WCCS.
Coordinated Entry Meetings
As HSOC, I also attended Coordinated Entry meetings where I began to learn how the Coordinated Entry system works to ensure WCCS's outreach efforts are effective as I continue to learn my position. These meetings provide a platform for service providers to share best practices and identify any gaps in service delivery. By attending these meetings, I was able to represent WCCS's interests and ensure that our outreach efforts are aligned with the broader community's objectives. As I stated in my previous report there is two individuals from the Sebastopol area will be coming up on the list for housing placement within the next two months. One will be in Permanent Supportive 1 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Housing and the second one will be in the Rapid Re-housing range. Both of these individuals are currently at SAVS Horizon Shine Village and have been notified. I am also happy to inform that one individual was offered Permanent Supportive Housing in Santa Rosa and completed the intake paperwork on 7/05/2023 with the Catholic Charities Housing Specialist. This individual was chronically homeless for the past 8 years and was offered a Section 8 Voucher with the housing placement. He was so humbled and grateful for the opportunity and the support from the Sebastopol Christian Church and HSOC.
Sebastopol Homeless Support Meetings:
As HSOC, I attended a meeting with Vice Mayor Diana Rich, Suzanne Landre (SAVS Volunteer) and Una Glass, where I participated as appropriate to inform and understand the issues affecting the homeless population at the time.
The meeting is an opportunity to establish relationships with key stakeholders in the community and discuss ways to collaborate to better serve the homeless population. This month the meeting was focused on the status of SAVS Horizon Shine Village moving forward. SAVS now accepting new applicants to their safe parking program and they have a year to house all the individual that are left in the program. Chessy Etheridge is the new Manager and Mistry Lujan is the new on-site Case Manager for all Horizon Shine residents. HSOC scheduled a time to meet with Chessy and Mistry before this meeting to share information they could use to case manage effectively in the Sebastopol area. Unfortunately, they were both unable to attend last minute so HSOC emailed all the information to my knowledge to Chessy, Mistry and their supervisors. HSOC let them know I am always available via phone or email if they have any questions.
Meeting with Kris White at the Sebastopol Christian Church As HSOC, I met with Kris White at the Sebastopol Christian Church to explore the possibility of using their space to meet with homeless individuals while they provide aid such as breakfast, lunch, showers and free laundry services.
During the meeting, I shared information on the current outreach efforts of WCCS and discussed possible areas of collaboration with the church. We also discussed the logistics of using their space and how we could work together to better serve the homeless population. Kris continues to offer a room and Wi-Fi so that HSOC can enroll homeless individuals in Coordinated Entry every Thursday and assist with Food Stamp applications, problem solving and ID vouchers. I am pleased to inform you that I was able to enroll 8 individuals to Coordinated Entry, 1 Whole Person Care referrals, 2 Food Stamp applications and 1 ID Vouchers. Whole Persson Care Case Managers where able to meet with 4 out of 13 referrals. Unfortunately, Sonoma County Behavioral Health wants us to send individuals to our local clinics first and it has been difficult to schedule a psychiatric appointment with them for all of my referrals.
It has been discouraging to the clients and HSOC is looking for alternative options and contact persons who can offer behavioral health services to our unhoused. Communication continues to be a barrier due to phones constantly being stolen, broken or misplaced.
Sebastopol Police Department Meeting
Introduction
As part of my role as HSOC, I am in constant communication with the Sebastopol Police Department. I was able to ask for support from SPD staff to assist the unhoused community of Sebastopol. The following is a summary of our interactions.
Discussion
During our interactions, we collaborated in assisting a couple with a dog who have been struggling and attempting to engage with services for months. One individual attended her first appointment with a case manager from SCBH Whole Person care at the SSI office in Santa Rosa. Unfortunately, the case manager told the client she only case manages for mental health related services not SSI.
The Sebastopol Police Department has also been following-up with HSOC regarding moving along this couple from camping in the trail. HSOC has been able to offer more assistance with the support of Cameron Fenske and Dack Thompson.
Additionally, Chief Ron Nelson was unable to attended the Sebastopol Homeless Support Meeting but he did send an email to all of us to let us know he is available for any questions or concerns via email.
Conclusion
The collaboration and ability to put aside our differences to better serve all people we serve, HSOC and SPD staff was able to help one individual save her home and several get to their final destination to safety. Moving forward, 2 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
we will continue to work together to identify ways to support these individuals and address the concerns raised by the community.
Final Conclusion
Overall, my attendance at the meetings has been instrumental in establishing relationships with other service providers and introducing WCCS to the broader community. Attending these meetings has also been critical in understanding the latest trends and challenges in the community, which we can use to inform our outreach efforts. I look forward to continuing to represent WCCS at relevant meetings and explore opportunities to work together to address homelessness in the community.
Leadership coordination of services:
Introduction
As part of my role as HSOC, I have been actively coordinating services to support the homeless population in Sebastopol. In this report, I will outline the efforts I have made to connect homeless individuals to existing services and resources, as well as my plans to continue enrolling the homeless community to Coordinated Entry for the housing prioritization list in Sonoma County.
Discussion
As mentioned in previous reports, I have been working to connect homeless individuals to various aid and services provided by the Christian church, the library, local volunteer groups, as well as resources provided by WCCS and partnering organizations. This effort has been successful in providing support to many individuals in need and has helped to build stronger relationships between the homeless population and service providers.
In addition to these efforts, I will continue to enroll individuals to Coordinated Entry that will take 45 minutes to 1 hour per individual. I am committed to enrolling the homeless individuals interested in Coordinated Entry at the Sebastopol Community Church every Thursday from 8:30 am-11:00 am. This will help to ensure that homeless individuals are receiving the appropriate services and support they need to improve their situation.
Finally, I have been successful at connecting unsheltered youth to Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) Outreach Worker for Sonoma County, 22-year-old Christian Reyes and his two new Outreach workers. Christian Reyes has been successful at housing and connecting youth to services ages 0-24 and enrolling them in the TAY Coordinated Entry list. The SAY Outreach Worker also has needle exchange to offer anyone that needs it, not just youth. HSOC also introduced the Verity Homeless Outreach Workers for the DA Victim Services of Sonoma County to one unhoused female of the Sebastopol community to offer services and shelter. Unfortunately, she declined all services being offered but she has contact information from Verity if she ever changes her mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my efforts as HSOC have been focused on leadership coordination of services to support the homeless population in Sebastopol. I have been successful in connecting individuals to existing resources and services, and my plans to schedule Coordinated Entry assessments will help to ensure that individuals are prioritized for the appropriate services they require. At this point I have enrolled and referred all the individuals that were egger to get something started and get the assistance they need including Coordinated Entry and referrals to Whole Person Care or Enhanced Case Management with WCHC. I will continue to work collaboratively with service providers and community partners to provide support and resources to homeless individuals.
Develop relationships with clients and connect them to services:
Introduction
As the HSOC, my primary responsibility is to develop relationships with homeless individuals and connect them to the services and resources they need to improve their situation. In this report, I will outline the efforts I have made to develop relationships with clients and connect them to services.
Discussion
Since the start of my position, I have introduced myself to 70 homeless individuals who have opened up to me about their homeless status and desired housing goals. Through these conversations, I have been able to gain a better 3 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
understanding of their needs and goals, and have been able to provide them with information about resources that can help them.
Specifically, I have offered information about resources for shelter referrals, legal aid, food banks, food stamps, veterans services, domestic violence services, substance abuse, Coordinated Entry, housing assistance, employment services, DMV services and mental health resources. By providing this information, I have been able to help connect individuals to the services and resources they need to improve their situation and work towards achieving their housing goals.
Finally, my collaboration with Sheila Sanches WCCS to provide Crisis Funds was success with a total of 3 individuals this month. One was to help an individual at Horizon Shine pay for car insurance, the second one was to help pay a bail out fee at the animal shelter for a homeless individual living in the streets and the third one went to pay for a car registration renewal for a woman to get her into Safe Parking at the Community Church. They were all so grateful for the assistance provided by the Crisis Funds which made a huge difference in their lives that will help to keep them going.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my efforts as HSOC have been focused on developing relationships with homeless individuals and connecting them to the services and resources they need. I will continue to work to develop relationships with homeless individuals and connect them to the services and resources they need to improve their situation.
Develop a citywide services matrix, including relevant county services, to inform housed and unhoused communities about the type and availability of services:
As HSOC, I continue to distribute the updated Sebastopol Resource Guide to unhoused individuals and other providers in the community.
I would also like to update you on the progress I have made in our efforts to develop a citywide matrix of services for the homeless population in our community. Over the past two months, I have worked tirelessly to gather information from key stakeholders and partners, and organize this information into a clear and accessible format.
There is a lot of information and I have been struggling to put it all in one page. I am still working on the format that will be clear to read and easy to understand. I’ve been verbally explaining and educating everyone as the questions come up in large groups in front of the Christian Church or on a case by case bases.
Our citywide matrix includes information about a wide range of services available to those experiencing homelessness, including shelter, food assistance, medical care, job hunting, and more. We have categorized this information by type, provider, and location, and have included information about eligibility requirements, hours of operation, and contact information.
We believe that this matrix will be a powerful tool for informing housed and inhabited communities about the type and availability of services for those experiencing homelessness in our community. By making this information more accessible and easier to understand, we hope to foster greater empathy, understanding, and support for our most vulnerable neighbors.
We have collaborated closely with relevant county services and government agencies to ensure that the information in the matrix is accurate and up-to-date. We are committed to maintaining this resource on an ongoing basis, and to continue to work with our partners to address any gaps or changes in services. We invite any information that could be helpful in our outreach efforts to inform those in need of services they could benefit from in the Sebastopol Community.
4 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
HSOC is scheduling meetings with providers to clarify information and gain a direct contact person for each service.
It is an ongoing process that is not ready for distribution but will become available when all information has been confirmed as effective.
We are inspired by the dedication and compassion of our community partners, and are grateful for the support of the City Council in our efforts to develop this resource. We believe that by working together, we can create a more informed, compassionate, and equitable community that supports the needs of all its member.
Increase citywide understanding of rules and laws:
Introduction
As the HSOC, I understand the importance of increasing citywide understanding of rules and laws related to homelessness. In this report, I will outline the steps I have taken to increase awareness and understanding of these rules and laws among the homeless population.
Discussion
One of the primary ways I have been working to increase citywide understanding of rules and laws is by asking questions regarding their struggles while being unhoused that could cause them legal problems and offering solutions. By doing so, I am able to guide and educate the displaced on making sure they are following the rules and laws to avoid legal problems.
Additionally, I have been reminding the homeless population of safe parking and camping laws and the consequences of violating them. My goal is to recommend services and avoid fines for camping and illegally parking in restricted areas where strict laws are enforced. By doing so, I am helping to ensure that individuals are aware of the laws and the potential consequences of violating them.
Finally, I am referring individuals to the Sebastopol police to resolve any concerns or questions they may have about the laws and violations as they occur. I offer services and support to help individuals understand the laws and work towards compliance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, though our efforts to increase understanding of rules and laws related to homelessness, we are promoting empathy, respect, and fairness for all members of our community. By educating individuals and organizations, we are breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive, informed, and compassionate society.
Our work is a powerful reminder of the importance of education and outreach in creating positive change.
Partner with City staff and first responders in homeless response:
Introduction
As the HSOC, I am dedicated to collaborating with city staff and first responders to provide support to the homeless population in Sebastopol.
Discussion
This month there was one referral from the Sebastopol Police Department for the couple mentioned above. This couple has been making steps towards housing with the support of SPD staff and HSOC. My goal is to continue collaborating successfully with the SPD by attending the Sebastopol Homeless Support Meeting where Chief Ron Nelson will make a brief appearance as he is available to give a report or answer any questions we may have.
Conclusion
It’s not always easy to find common ground and work together towards a shared goal, but when we do, the results can be truly transformative. Let’s continue to build bridges between law enforcement and homeless outreach efforts, and show that empathy and understanding can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. 5 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Develop volunteer/civic engagement opportunities around homelessness:
Introduction
As the HSOC I will continue to develop volunteer and civic engagement around homelessness. As you know, my primary goal is to connect homeless individuals in Sebastopol to the services they need to obtain long-term housing solutions.
Discussion
To that end, I have been attending the Social Worker Day every third Tuesday of the month from 1:30-3 pm to network with other service providers and learn about new resources that may benefit our homeless population. I was able to provide 1 ID Voucher and 4 Birth Certificate Affidavit to a senior woman and a mother with two children who needed the services. During my time at the Barnabas program I will often stay after 11 am when the service is over and hand out free lunch bags to those in need while I continue to provide services in person or over the phone.
Conclusion
Furthermore, though our efforts to develop civic engagement opportunities around homelessness, we are inspiring volunteers and community members to come together and take action. By working collaboratively with those experiencing homelessness, we are fostering empathy, understanding, and meaningful change. I will continue to keep you updated on any new developments or opportunities for collaboration.
Safe Parking:
Introduction
As the HSOC for Sebastopol, I am pleased to inform you that we are continuing our efforts to provide safe parking options for the unhoused population. The community church safe parking is currently accepting referrals for those who are living in their cars and seeking a safe place to park. We currently have 2 in Safe Parking at the Sebastopol Community Church and 2 in the HUTS. There is 3 spaces available for safe parkers that meet the requirements and are willing to follow program rules.
Discussion
I was able to put in a referral for Safe Parking for an individual who meet all the requirements and is already in the housing prioritization list with Sonoma County. She is a mother whom will be placed in housing with her son. Her son is not sleeping in the car with her but staying with his father until they get housed.
We have 3 open parking spaces available for individuals who are up to date on their license, registration and insurance. If you know of anyone who could benefit from safe parking, please contact Maria Rico or “Rico” (707) 888-3804 to facilitate the application process and help them move closer to their housing goals. If anyone is struggling to pay for their registration or car repair that they live in, I could always put in a request for Crisis Funds as they are available and meet the criteria.
Conclusion
By providing safe parking for the homeless, we are offering a lifeline to those who are most vulnerable and in need.
Our compassionate efforts are helping to restore dignity and hope to individuals who are often overlooked or marginalized. Our work is a reminder that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact, and that by coming together as a community, we can create a brighter future for all.
July 2023 Goals
* Enroll the homeless individuals interested in Coordinated Entry for the Home First housing prioritization list. * Attend Coordinated Entry meetings every Friday from 11am-12:30 pm to advocate for the homeless individuals from Sebastopol who were placed on the housing prioritization list as they come up. * Follow-up with the referrals already made to Whole Person Care and schedule warm hand offs with Case Managers as they come up on the list.
* Collaborate with Chessy Eitherine and Mistry to better serve the unhoused community of the greater Sebastopol area.
* Outreach at the Sebastopol Christian Church Thursdays 8:30 am-Noon or until later as needed. 6 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
* Moving forward my schedule will very to meet clients needs. I can be reached at (707) 888-3804 or [email protected]
* Complete citywide matrix after clarifying information. 7 Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Memo
From: Una JM Glass, Sebastopol/West County COC Board Member To: Sebastopol City Council
Date: 07/12/2023
Regarding: Sonoma County Continuum of Care update -
The Continuum of Care (CoC) is Sonoma County's collaborative effort at representing the homeless services system of care. This system of care includes local governments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and business. Governed by a seventeen-member Continuum of Care Board, the countywide effort is responsible for oversight of funds awarded to the Continuum of Care plus, planning/policy development for addressing homelessness countywide, regardless of funding source.
Governed by the COC’s Charter, and mandated to exist by the Federal Government, the Board consists of local elected officials and appointees, nonprofit representatives, and subject matter experts, as well as individuals with lived homeless experience. The Sebastopol City Council is the entity responsible for appointing a representative to the COC Board to represent the interests of west county – i.e. the Fifth Supervisorial District. The Sebastopol City Council appointed former City Council Member, Una Glass, to the COC West County seat in December of 2022.
Recent CoC Board Activity
Elderberry Commons - COC Board member, Una Glass, worked closely with Sebastopol Vice Mayor Diana Rich, as well as Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, to improve the transition process of Elderberry Commons, from an emergency facility with a medical orientation for COVID vulnerable homeless individuals, to a permanent supportive housing facility (PSH), over the past several months. This transition was announced by the Department of Homelessness Services in February. The Sonoma County Department of Homelessness Services is the entity that provides administrative support and staffs the COC.
Both City and County officials knew from the outset of the Elderberry Commons project, that this transition would take place once COVID emergency funding ceased. A Project Homekey grant was awarded to the County by the State of California to purchase the Sebastopol Inn in 2020. The County then contracted with DEMA to manage the facility and provide wrap around services for homeless individuals particularly vulnerable to COVID due to health issues. DEMA has collaborated with the Sonoma County Department of Homelessness Services over the past several months to facilitate new shelter for residents of Elderberry Commons in light of the facility’s transition due to the COVID emergency ending. It is Glass’ understanding that all Elderberry residents were provided with shelter by the end of this transition. Residents were initially notified that they would have to vacate Elderberry Commons in February. All residents were finally vacated by mid-May. The facility is now temporarily shut down and empty of any residents so kitchenettes can be installed in each apartment in expectation of its new deployment as PSH. The County, which owns the facility, has been working on the design and permitting for kitchenette installations in collaboration with the City. DEMA’s contract to manage the facility has ended and it is expected that the facility will be turned over to Burbank Housing for property Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
management sometime this year and West County Community Services will provide wrap around services for residents. Expected occupancy for new residents is currently projected to be February 2024.
COC Board member Glass is very disappointed that a facility of this size will be unoccupied for close to a year given the very serious homelessness situation in Sonoma County. In discussions with County staff and various officials she has urged that any future similar transitions be planned for much further in advance and that all stakeholders (the City, County, non-profit providers, etc) be engaged with creating a transition plan and calendar. She particularly urged that any closure of a facility be kept to an absolute minimum and disruption to residents minimized.
2023/24 COC NOFA Awards – The COC’s process to award approximately 6.5 million dollars in funding for homelessness services to non-profit providers was very chaotic this year. The final awards are listed at the end of this document. The initial recommendation of the COC’s Funding and Evaluation Committee seriously underfunded several west county projects with Boardmember Glass dissenting from the F&E Committee’s recommendation. Fortunately, this was turned around at the full Board level with, among other projects, the WCCS Guerneville homeless shelter receiving enough funding to remain open year round. The Guerneville shelter is critical to managing homelessness in west county.
Subsequent to this year’s very chaotic process, Glass has met with the Chair of the COC as well as other Boardmembers and staff to work on better defining the process for next year. These meetings are ongoing.
Homelessness Activity Notification – Working with another COC Boardmember, Glass requested that The City of Santa Rosa give the City of Sebastopol comprehensive advanced notification regarding any homeless actions they may be planning that could affect Sebastopol. For example, if there are plans to clear an encampment in western Santa Rosa, Sebastopol needs notification to plan for any impacts on Sebastopol homelessness outreach and law enforcement.
The PIT Count – There is some good news. This year’s “Point in Time” homelessness count (PIT) showed a 22% drop in homelessness in Sonoma County. The number of homeless people in Sonoma County dropped from 2,893 to 2,266, which translates to a 22% drop. This drop is likely related to the increased funding that the State and Federal governments have provided to local government to address the homelessness crisis and these funds have been deployed effectively in Sonoma County. It also reflects the dedicated work of the non-profit homelessness service providers such as West County Community Services and SAVS here in West County.
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Homeless Project Type (HMIS
Definitions)
Project Type
Totals 22-23
Contract
Percent of Total Project Type
Totals
23-24
Requested
Percent of Total Year Over Year
Difference Dollars
Project Types
Proposed
Year Over Year
Difference in
Percent Project
Types Proposed
Homeless
Services Team
Recommended
By Project Type
Percent
Total 23-24
Recommended
Amounts by CoC
Total 23-24
Recommdations
Percent
FY 22-23 tp FY
23-24 Percent
Change in
Project Funding
Coordinated Entry $ 185,559 3% $ 86,759 1% $ (98,800) -3% $ 86,759 1% $ 86,759 1% -2% Emergency Shelter $ 2,065,726 35% $ 2,880,567 20% $ 814,841 -15% $ 2,719,025 40% $ 2,785,925 42% 7% Homeless Prevention $ 120,000 2% $ 1,042,897 7% $ 922,897 5% $ 166,635 2% $ 126,635 2% 0% Non Congregate Shelter $ 522,678 9% $ 1,688,581 12% $ 1,165,903 3% $ 35,820 1% $ 125,820 2% -7% Permanent Supportive Housing $ 602,452 10% $ 1,331,919 9% $ 729,467 -1% $ 839,246 12% $ 839,216 13% 2% Rapid ReHousing $ 1,439,395 25% $ 3,352,519 23% $ 1,913,124 -1% $ 2,008,391 29% $ 1,588,392 24% -1% Street Outreach $ 685,092 12% $ 1,372,653 10% $ 687,561 -2% $ 543,211 8% $ 485,571 7% -4% Other Projects $ 252,352 4% $ 2,681,602 19% $ 2,429,250 14% $ 476,502 7% $ 615,502 9% 5% Funding Recommendation Total $ 5,873,254 100% $ 14,437,497 100% $ 8,564,243 0% $ 6,875,589 100% $ 6,653,820 100% 0% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Shaded green cells in Col. K were the final recommendation made by F/E - June 8, 2023 for five projects Projects indicated as 'New' may be new to the application process, but may have been in operation HST reference indicates - Homeless Services Team
Figures do not include additional funding streams such as Measure O or ARPA Sonoma Continuum of Care CA-504
FY 2023-24 NOFA Recommendation Summary
System Shifts
HomeFirst Ongoing Ask MG Sonoma County Coordinated Entry $ 185,559 $ 86,759 $ (98,800) $ 86,759 $ 86,759 $ - Total Coordinated Entry Total Projects: 1 $ 185,559 $ 86,759 $ (98,800) $ 86,759 $ 86,759 $ - #DIV/0! Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request -53%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Coordinated Entry
Catholic Charities Ongoing Households >1 Family Support Center $ 200,000 $ 225,000 $ 25,000 $ 225,000 $ 225,000 $ - 7% Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals Sam Jones Hall $ 323,000 $ 640,408 $ 317,408 $ 640,408 $ 582,408 $ (58,000) 75% Community Action Partnership Ongoing Women's Shelter Sloan House $ 52,153 $ 109,387 $ 57,234 $ 30,000 $ 95,000 $ (14,387) 30% COTS Ongoing Single Individuals Mary Isaak Center $ 422,590 $ 549,367 $ 126,777 $ 549,367 $ 549,367 $ - 50% Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth Dream Center and ES Winter Shelter $ 169,215 $ 246,405 $ 77,190 $ 246,405 $ 246,405 $ - 8% West County Community ServicesOngoing Single Individuals West County Navigation Center $ 864,000 $ 960,000 $ 96,000 $ 960,000 $ 960,000 $ - 51% YWCA Sonoma County Ongoing Women's DV ShelterYWCA Safe House $ 34,768 $ 150,000 $ 115,232 $ 67,845 $ 127,745 $ (22,255) 0% Total Emergency Shelter Total Projects: 7 $ 2,065,726 $ 2,880,567 $ 814,841 $ 2,719,025 $ 2,785,925 $ (94,642) 31% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 39%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Emergency Shelters
Community Action Partnership New Households >1 Season of Sharing Homeless Prevention $ - $ 81,765 $ 81,765 $ 40,000 $ - $ (81,765) HomeFirst New Households >1 Sonoma County Homeless Prevention $ - $ 393,923 $ 393,923 $ - $ - $ (393,923) Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth SAY TAY Homeless Prevention (YOUTH) $ 30,000 $ 31,830 $ 1,830 $ 31,830 $ 31,830 $ - The Living Room New Households +1 Women TLR Homeless Prevention RE? $ - $ 440,574 $ 440,574 $ - $ - $ (440,574) 11% West County Community ServicesOngoing All Adult HouseholdsWCCS Homeless Prevention $ 90,000 $ 94,805 $ 4,805 $ 94,805 $ 94,805 $ - 30% Total Homeless Prevention Total Projects: 5 $ 120,000 $ 1,042,897 $ 922,897 $ 166,635 $ 126,635 $ (916,262) 20% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 769%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Homeless Prevention
21. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
HomeFirst New n/a Labath Landing $ - $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ - Homeless Action Sonoma New Single Individuals Home and Safe Center $ - $ 921,000 $ 921,000 $ - $ 90,000 $ (831,000) Sonoma Applied Village ServicesOngoing All Households Horizon Shine $ 522,678 $ 731,761 $ 209,083 $ - $ - $ (731,761) 11% Total No-Congregate Shelter Total Projects: 3 $ 522,678 $ 1,688,581 $ 1,165,903 $ 35,820 $ 125,820 $ (1,837,633) 11% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 223.1% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended Note
Percent CH
Served
Non-Congregate Shelter
Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals PSH Alternatives $ 200,000 $ 337,787 $ 137,787 $ 337,787 $ 337,787 $ - 78% Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals Palms Inn $ 135,000 $ 156,820 $ 21,820 $ 156,850 $ 156,820 $ - 100% Community Support Network Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth CSN PSH - Housing First (Stony Point) $ 111,104 $ 152,019 $ 40,915 $ 152,019 $ 152,019 $ - Reach for Home Ongoing Households >1 RFH Permanent Supportive Housing $ 119,348 $ 140,000 $ 20,652 $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ - 67% SHARE Sonoma County New Seniors 62+ Community Shared Housing Program $ - $ 492,703 $ 492,703 $ - $ - $ (492,703) 20% West County Commuinty ServicesOngoing Households >1 Meeting Their Needs$ 37,000 $ 52,590 $ 15,590 $ 52,590 $ 52,590 $ - 43% Total Perm Supportive Housing Total Projects: 6 $ 602,452 $ 1,331,919 $ 729,467 $ 839,246 $ 839,216 $ (492,703) 62% Percent Difference in Funding Requests 121.1%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Permanent Supportive Housing
Community Action Partnership New Mixed COTS Rapid Re-Housing $ 188,965 $ 1,350,411 $ 1,161,446 $ 81,683 $ - $ (1,350,411) 0% COTS New Households >1 Rapid Re-Housing $ - $ 236,207 $ 236,207 $ 236,207 $ 217,310 $ (18,897) 27% Interfaith Shelter Network Ongoing Single Individuals IFSN Rapid ReHousing $ 225,213 $ 527,000 $ 301,787 $ 527,000 $ 258,995 $ (268,005) Reach for Home Ongoing Households >1 RFH Rapid Re-Housing $ 43,546 $ 80,000 $ 36,454 $ 80,000 $ 50,078 $ (29,922) 11% SHARE Sonoma County Ongoing Seniors 62+ SHARE Rapid Re-Housing $ 311,366 $ 374,717 $ 63,351 $ 374,717 $ 358,071 $ (16,646) 56% Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing TAY SAY Rapid Re-Housing (YOUTH) $ 187,457 $ 187,457 $ - $ 112,057 $ 180,167 $ (7,290) 39% TLC Ongoing TAY TLC RAY Rapid Re-Housing $ 212,920 $ 317,814 $ 104,894 $ 317,814 $ 244,858 $ (72,956) 11% West County Community ServicesOngoing Check App/APR WCCS Rapid Re-Housing $ 269,928 $ 278,913 $ 8,985 $ 278,913 $ 278,913 $ - 39% Total Rapid ReHousing Total Projects: 8 $ 1,439,395 $ 3,352,519 $ 1,913,124 $ 2,008,391 $ 1,588,392 $ (1,764,127) 26% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 132.9% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Rapid Re-Housing
Catholic Charities Ongoing All Households Homeless Outreach Services Team $ 325,651 $ 368,324 $ 42,673 $ 368,324 $ 238,324 $ (130,000) 59% City of Petaluma New Mental Heealth Subpop Enhanced Mental Health and Outreach $ - $ 600,000 $ 600,000 $ - $ - $ (600,000) Reach for Home Ongoing All Households RFH Street Outreach$ 34,768 $ 80,000 $ 45,232 $ 80,000 $ 80,000 $ - Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth SAY Street Outreach (YOUTH) $ 211,542 $ 228,100 $ 16,558 $ 94,887 $ 94,887 $ (133,213) 38% Sonoma Applied Village ServicesOngoing All Households SAVS Outreach Personel and System Info $ 113,131 $ 96,229 $ (16,902) $ - $ 72,360 $ (23,869) 52% Total Street Outreach Total Projects: 5 $ 685,092 $ 1,372,653 $ 687,561 $ 543,211 $ 485,571 $ (887,082) 50% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 100.4% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Street Outreach
Catholic Charities Ongoing All Households Homeless Services Center $ 50,000 $ 181,500 $ 131,500 $ 181,500 $ 181,500 $ - 58% City of Santa Rosa New Single Adults Sam Jones Capital $ - $ 955,100 $ 955,100 $ - $ 232,000 $ (723,100) 0% West County Community ServicesNew Single Adults George's Highway Capital $ - $ 1,250,000 $ 1,250,000 $ - $ - $ (1,250,000) 0% SHARE Sonoma County Ongoing Adults 62+ Focus Home Share Program$ 202,352 $ 295,002 $ 92,650 $ 295,002 $ 202,002 $ (93,000) 20% Total Other Project Types Total Projects: 4 $ 252,352 $ 2,681,602 $ 2,429,250 $ 476,502 $ 615,502 $ (2,953,182) 20% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 962.6% Other Project Types
22. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Household Type Analysis Transitional Aged
Youth
Households +1 Single Adults Special Pops Mixed
Households
Total
Coordinated Entry 0 0 0 0 1 1
Emergency Shelter 1 1 3 2 0 7
Homeless Prevention 1 3 0 0 1 5
Non Congregate Shelter 0 0 1 0 2 3
Permanent Supportive Housing 1 2 3 1 0 7
Rapid ReHousing 2 1 2 1 1 7
Street Outreach 1 0 0 1 3 5
-Other Projects 0 0 3 1 0 4
6 7 12 6 8 39
Applications with Strong Declaration
for Enhance Case Management
Number with most
boxes checked on
Goal 2 (Enhanced
Csae Mgmt)
Percent
Coordinated Entry 1 6%
Emergency Shelter 3 19%
Homeless Prevention 1 6%
Non Congregate Shelter 1 6%
Permanent Supportive Housing 3 19%
Rapid ReHousing 4 25%
Street Outreach 1 6%
-Other Projects 2 13%
16 100%
Application Status by Project New Applications New Projects Funded
Ongoing Contracts Ongoing Funded Total
Coordinated Entry 0 0 1 1 1
Emergency Shelter 0 1 7 7 7
Homeless Prevention 3 0 2 2 5
Non Congregate Shelter 2 2 1 1 3
Permanent Supportive Housing 1 0 5 5 6
Rapid ReHousing 2 1 6 6 8
Street Outreach 1 0 4 2 5
-Other Projects 2 0 2 2 4
11 4 28 26 39
28% 10% 72% 67% 100%
Applied For and Funded by Agency
Applied For Percent Total Funded Percent Total Difference Applied to
Funded
Catholic Charities $ 1,909,839 13% $ 1,721,839 12% -1%
City of Petaluma $ 600,000 4% $ - 0% -4%
City of Santa Rosa $ 955,100 7% $ 232,000 2% -5%
Community Action Partnership $ 1,541,563 11% $ 95,000 1% -10% Community Support Network $ 152,019 1% $ 152,019 1% 0%
COTS $ 785,574 5% $ 766,677 5% 0%
HomeFirst $ 516,502 4% $ 122,579 1% -3%
Homeless Action Sonoma $ 921,000 6% $ 90,000 1% -6%
Interfaith Shelter Network $ 527,000 4% $ 258,995 2% -2% Reach for Home $ 300,000 2% $ 270,078 2% 0%
SHARE Sonoma County $ 1,162,422 8% $ 560,073 4% -4%
Social Advocates for Youth $ 693,792 5% $ 553,289 4% -1% Sonoma Applied Village Services $ 827,990 6% $ 72,360 1% -5% The Living Room $ 440,574 3% $ - 0% -3%
TLC Child and Family $ 317,814 2% $ 244,858 2% -1%
West County Community Services $ 2,636,308 18% $ 1,386,308 10% -9% YWCA Sonoma County $ 150,000 1% $ 127,745 1% 0%
$ 14,437,497 100% $ 6,653,820 46%
Geographic Equity (presumed funded) Santa Rosa Petaluma/RP North County Sonoma Valley West County Total Coordinated Entry $ 86,759 $ 86,759
Emergency Shelter $ 1,279,558 $ 549,367 $ - $ - $ 960,000 $ 2,788,925 Homeless Prevention $ 31,830 $ 94,805 $ 126,635
Non Congregate Shelter $ 35,820 $ 90,000 $ - $ 125,820
Permanent Supportive Housing $ 646,626 $ 140,000 $ 52,590 $ 839,216 Rapid ReHousing $ 1,042,727 $ 217,310 $ 50,078 $ 278,913 $ 1,589,028 Street Outreach $ 333,211 $ - $ 80,000 $ 72,360 $ 485,571 -Other Projects $ 615,502 $ - $ 615,502
$ 4,036,213 $ 802,497 $ 270,078 $ 90,000 $ 1,458,668 $ 6,657,456 61% 12% 4% 1% 22% 100%
Note: $ 3,636
Subpop Analysis (other)
Amt Applied For Amt Funded Percent of Total
Funded Amount
Women's Services $ - $ 440,574 0.00%
Mature Persons $ 1,162,422 $ 560,073 17.46%
Domestic Violence $ 150,000 $ 127,745 2.25%
Transitional Aged Youth $ 1,163,625 $ 950,166 17.48%
$ 2,476,047 $ 2,078,558 37%
Sonoma Continuum of Care CA-504
FY 2023-24 NOFA Recommendation
Summary
Applications by Household Type (estimated by earlier program knowledge) Geographic equity estimates are distributed based on tPierce knowledge of where projects might be serving clients or the agency's administrative address Note: because of rfp language this may not be a good chart (still under development) Note: the term new projects needs to be distinguished between newly operating or new to funding request
23. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
INFORMATION FROM THE COC REGARDING HOMELESSNESS MATTERS COUNTYWIDE Regional Homelessness Services and Programs Report – June 2023 Santa Rosa
The City of Santa Rosa successfully secured a State Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Grant in Round 2, that will help provide more funding for increased street outreach – it will include four additional outreach workers who will target Santa Rosa’s SW and SE encampment areas. Case managers will focus on housing readiness with the grant, which also provides some rapid rehousing funds as well as some site and operational expenses at the UFO Safe Parking Site.
Catholic Charities is expected to provide the staffing under the grant.
Santa Rosa’s safe parking site, which has been up and running for over a year, continues to provide housing readiness supports. About 60 people are sheltering there, with a waiting list of another 40 people.
Santa Rosa is working on its Strategic Plan implementation, especially the homelessness prevention elements. They’re discussing partnering with All Home California, and will look to HOME-ARP and related funding for a possible prevention program. The plan is likely to include cash and rental assistance, and may include the assistance portal that All Home described to the CoC Board in May, 2023.
A new camping ordinance will go to the Santa Rosa City Council in August 2023 – that ordinance may be modeled off of those adopted by other local jurisdictions.
Santa Rosa is working on participating in a larger By Names List for the region (including active case conferencing), once specific hurdles involving access to HMIS are addressed.
The Commons, the former Gold Coin Motel, is under construction as a PSH site and is expected to open later in 2023.
Petaluma and South Sonoma County
Studios at Montero (“SAM” – a PSH Homekey-2 project). As soon as the week of June 20th , all construction at SAM was slated to be complete and all units occupied. SAM includes 60 rooms.
Petaluma wanted to especially note the hard work of COTS’ Julia Gaines in working to lease-up residency at the site with persons coming out of homelessness.
As noted last month, the City’s Strategic Planning effort continues with an update as to Year 2 activities. On June 19th, the City Council will have considered several homelessness servicesrelated contracts, including with COTS for the Mary Isaak Center, Petaluma People’s Village (PPV), HomeFirst (a new contract for housing-focused case management and landlord recruitment, and with the Downtown Streets Team (DST) and its mobile shower program.
According to Karen Shimizu, DST will continue with employment outreach and training programs, while HomeFirst will focus on street outreach and landlord recruitment.
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Petaluma received a portion of the recent $3M in Measure O funds – in this case, the funds awarded will focus on street outreach and close work with COTS and Petaluma People’s Village.
A recent Council report shows that 7 of the 25 in PPV have moved to permanent housing within the year or so of operations of the Village.
Regarding increasing units of affordable and/or permanent supportive housing, the region has these projects in the pipeline:
• A large DANCO project of 131 units, 33 of which will be PSH. Danco has acquired the site and put in funding applications in application in partnership with SMART and Petaluma • Burbank Housing’s Petaluma Boulevard South would provide 50 units, with 13 PSH. • Mid-Pen’s 414 Petaluma Boulevard North will provide 43 units and is under construction.
Will open Summer 2024 – 13 units of PSH.
• Mid-Pen is also working to acquire a site for another 50 units in Petaluma.
The City Council recently adopted a new tenant protection ordinance – new info on website.
The City is also considering a Mobile Home Rent Control ordinance as soon as June 19, which would limit increases in rent to 4% or CPI. The City has seven mobile home parks – five are for seniors only, and two are for families.
The City of Petaluma has been discussing coordinating its By Names List work in partnership with the City of Sonoma, in an effort to reduce the BNL’s administrative expenses on both agencies.
County of Sonoma
We brought our Measure O recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on June 12, where they were approved. There is a next round of funding-related items set to go to the Board on July 18, 2023, including an additional $2.0 million from Measure O.
The County received $4.57 million from the State’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Round 2 process, for a grant that provided a pathway to permanent housing for many individuals coming from the Joe Rodota Trail. The grant action plan envisions:
• 2 more supportive services staff members (Sr. Client Support Specialists) for two years • Funding for additional SHARE Sonoma County community houses • Funding for improvements to existing interim housing sites. • Funding for grant administration.
The County is working in partnership with TLC Child and Family Services on a Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) project in unincorporated Santa Rosa. This grant application is due no later than July 28, 2023. The project includes a 26-unit motel and a 30-unit RV park. Ten of the 26 units Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
will be PSH, 16 of the 26 will be interim housing. The RV park will be interim housing with a plan to convert to permanent housing over about five years.
The County continues to work on its Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) plan, which would spend about $11.2 million over several years. BHBH is oriented towards the BH needs of homeless individuals, and is geared towards providing interim housing that will include treatment beds. The CoC Board will receive a presentation on the County’s BHBH program in June 2023 from BH Division Director Jan Cobaleda-Kegler.
DHS’ Homelessness Services Division continues its work to provide encampment resolution (IMDT/HEART) as well as higher level care for persons recently houses (IMDT/SOUL). While some positions at both sections have been filled, about 3 slots remain open and unfilled. The IMDT/Homekey cohort has two staff members (both hired in early June) who have started their work in Project Homekey sites at Labath Landing. These two staff members will also work to assist at Studios at Montero and the L&M Village.
The Sonoma County Housing Connector Program was officially rolled out in March of this year.
This program rolls all of the functions of landlord outreach, supportive services engagement, and tenant housing searches into one web-based platform. The platform has restricted access and only those who have a rental subsidy can access the available units in the system. Through the platform, landlords can list their units and tenants can easily view the unit listings, communicate with landlords and submit rental applications. As of last week, the platform had 157 registered home seekers, 97 registered property owners, 58 registered supportive service provider case managers representing 10 agencies, and 85 available rental units. The programs overarching goal is to centralize housing location throughout the county, eliminating duplicative efforts between supportive services agencies and the housing authorities and make housing for the area’s most vulnerable residents accessible.
2022-23 Grand Jury Report. The Sonoma County Grand Jury reported at the end of June 2023 that the County needed to partner better with cities to address a need for coordinated establishment, staffing, and funding for warming centers in the wintertime. The report entitled “Warming Centers: County Action Needed Now” included notes that “even though the number of (warning center) spaces available was less than the perceived need, there was no evidence that people in need of shelter were turned away due to lack of availability” and that “the data that were available demonstrated that warming centers were not used to capacity.” All Home California – DHS/HS staff met with Mary Kate of All Home California, a partner with Keep Oakland Housed, to learn more about what a Sonoma County-based homelessness prevention plan might look like. After our meeting, we committed to talking with All Home and the City of Santa Rosa as to planning for a homelessness prevention pilot or related project.
AT HOME (CSAC) – the DHS staff worked with the County Administrator’s Office to consider support for a California State Association of Counties (CSAC) budget trailer bill mirrored on CSAC’s AT HOME Plan that would, among other things, make funding such as HHAP annualized Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
versus only issued in rounds. While Governor Newsom and the Legislature have approved another round of HHAP in FY 23-24, it remains a funding program that cities, CoCs, and counties cannot fully rely upon without some commitment by Sacramento to promise to fund it annually.
Healdsburg and North County
The Reach for Home and County teams submitted an ERF-2 grant application in late February, but it was not awarded in June 2023. The grant envisioned helping to house up to 40 persons residing at the Syar encampment on private property (and a portion on State Right of Way) along the Russian River in Healdsburg. RFH and the County team will try to re-tool the grant to resubmit by the close of June, 2023. The County, city, and RFH met to discuss the resubmittal strategy as well as what options might be available should the grant not be awarded.
The L&M Village in Healdsburg (Project Homekey-2 interim housing site) is currently at full capacity and all construction is complete. City and Reach for Home officials were happy to have been able to reach an occupancy date that secured the Homekey early occupancy bonus. The next quarterly update on the L&M comes to City Council on September 5, 2023.
Healdsburg continues to work on new affordable housing projects, including the recently opened “The Randall” at the Mill District (41 residents who are <60% AMI) and the recently renovated and reopened apartments on Piper and University. Other projects in the pipeline include the
County teams from DHS, City of Cloverdale staff, and Reach for Home worked on a particularly challenging case in May that involved a couple with significant behavioral and physical health needs. While the collaboration ended up succeeding in leading to housing for this couple, it pointed out the need for better exit plans for persons leaving the hospital system.
West County – from West County Community Services
Some nice improvements are underway at Sebastopol’s Park Village, where the first swap-out of an older housing unit with a new Tiny Home has occurred. This is part of a larger effort by WCCS to replace older housing units with up to 8 new tiny homes of various sizes and scope.
WCCS received Measure O funding for about $370,000 of these replacements, and will work to convert them over time.
The first Tiny Home also has a tenant with a Sonoma County Housing Authority housing choice voucher, which is also an innovation with SCHA and tiny homes. This model may be replicated at other locations across Sonoma County, as wheeled (but anchored) and other tiny homes are used with housing choice and other vouchers to improve the financial sustainability of tiny home projects for persons with very low income.
The Guerneville Navigation Center continues operations through the summer, with additional CoC funding approved for FY 23-24. Clients have been placed at Studios at Montero in Petaluma. One note from Dannielle Danforth (a lesson learned, and a paraphrase) – it’s Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
important that all of us engaged in leasing up Homekey and other locations are cognizant of our clients’ wariness of disappointment in securing housing. Sometimes a construction delay, while understandable to government and service provider staff, can be devastating and traumainducing to clients who might be predisposed to assuming disappointment. The “rug has been pulled out from them too many times to believe the system’s officials when government says the housing is coming.”
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
This information was included in the last report. It is included again in case readers may need a refresher in how the COC functions and what it is.
Background on COC Structure and Purpose
The Continuum of Care (CoC) is Sonoma County's collaborative effort representing the homeless services system of care. This system of care includes local governments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and businesses. Governed by a seventeen-member Continuum of Care Board, the countywide effort is responsible for oversight of funds designated to the Continuum of Care and planning/policy development for addressing homelessness countywide regardless of funding source. The Board consists of local elected officials and appointees, nonprofit representatives, subject matter experts, and individuals with lived homeless experience.
Every geographic area nationally (usually counties) is required by HUD/the federal government to establish a Continuum of Care Governance structure that includes three things: (1) A Lead Agency to manage the business of the CoC and support the CoC Board, (2) an entity to manage an HMIS (Homelessness Management Information System) system and select a federally approved HMIS software system, and (3) an entity/system that tracks unhoused individuals cases and that manages coordinated entry to the homeless system of care between jurisdictions and providers. In Sonoma County these entities are:
• The Lead Agency has been designated by the CoC Board as the County of Sonoma. • The HMIS system has been designated by the CoC Board as the County which also contracts with a software vendor.
• The Coordinated Entry system maintenance and management has been designated by the CoC Board as nonprofit vendor, HomeFirst.
The CoC Board meets monthly via Zoom. Its agenda, reports and link to its meetings can be found here.
Additionally, the COC has subcommittees that include Board members and designated individuals from the community. Sebastopol/West County’s COC representative is Una Glass, who is a member of the Funding and Evaluation Committee as well as a member of the governing Board.
The CoC Board adopted a 5 Year Strategic Plan in December of 2022. The plan was also adopted by the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors The Plan’s three primary objectives are:
1. Invest in more housing and prevention. It is imperative to reduce the inflow of people into homelessness and create more pathways to long-term housing stability. Doing so will require investments in both homelessness prevention and housing solutions.
2. Strengthen supportive services. The current system of care strains to meet the complex and diverse supportive services needs of people in the community who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness. That strain is felt not only by people experiencing homelessness, but also by homeless service providers, who are overtaxed and under-resourced. Building supportive services capacity is critical to ease this strain and better meet the needs of those in a housing crisis.
3. Operate as one coordinated system. Sonoma is a large county with many local governments and a broad array of service providers and other stakeholders whose work directly or indirectly impacts homelessness. To achieve functional zero, partners across the Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
county must work to develop shared priorities, aligned investments, seamless coordination, and equitable solutions to the crisis of homelessness. (note: Functional Zero is that point when a community's homeless services system is able to prevent homelessness whenever possible and ensure that when homelessness does occur, it is rare, brief and one-time.) These three goals are meant to guide the priorities of all the jurisdictions throughout the County.
The CoC also includes “memberships”. Some of the seats on the CoC Board are elected by member organizations. The member organizations are listed at the bottom of this report. The COC holds quarterly membership meetings that provide a venue for information exchange between members.
Voting Members of the Sonoma County Continuum of Care.
1. St Vincent de Paul
2. Santa Rosa Community Health
3. Interfaith Shelter Network
4. City of Santa Rosa
5. Disability Services and Legal Center (DSLC)
6. City of Healdsburg
7. City of Petaluma
8. Sonoma County Office of Education, Education for Homeless Children and Youth
9. City of Cotati
10. Community Support Network
11. COTS- Committee on the Shelterless
12. West County Health Center
13. Homes 4 The Homeless
14. Face to Face
15. Food for Thought
16. Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
17. West County Community Services
18. Providence
19. City of Rohnert Park
20. Redwood Gospel Mission
21. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
22. Kaiser Permanente
23. Petaluma Health Center
24. Social Advocates for Youth
25. DEMA Consulting and Management
26. City of Sebastopol
27. County of Sonoma
28. Nation's Finest
29. Homeless Action!
30. Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce
31. Center Point Drug Abuse Alternatives Center
32. Burbank Housing
33. SAVS (Sonoma Applied Village Services)
34. Reach for Home
35. Homeless Action Sonoma
36. HomeFirst
37. The Living Room
38. NAACP Santa Rosa-Sonoma County
39. Town of Windsor
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
DATA POINTS July Aug Sep 0ct Nov DecJanuaryFeb Mar Apr May June Cumulative/NonCumulative # Of new people contacted (un-duplicated
number) 14 11 15 16 20 13 6 26 14 6 5 non-cumulative
# Of camps citywide 6 5 6 6 7 8 6 413 16 10 non-cumulative # Of camps pre sweep NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA non-cumulative # Of RVs on Morris St , Laguna Pkwy & Palm St., or
other areas in seb 0 2 0 4 3 4 3 7 14 11 2 non-cumulative # of other vehicles Morris St, Laguna Pkwy &
Greater seb. area 5 2 5 5 4 6 8 16 21 23 4 non-cumulative # Of people housed by WCCS (shelters, ACS/NCS,
family) 8 17 27 31 40 48 50 51 54 55 56 cumulative
# Of people displaced (returning to Morris) 4 4 6 5 6 6 1 2 4 1 3 non-cumulative # Referrals/requests for outreach service (Seb.City,
SPD, and community) 14 8 15 14 7 8 17 15 6 3 4 non-cumulative # Of Housing referrals 8 9 24 18 17 13 5 1 1 1 1 non-cumulative # Food Assistance/referrals 5 8 10 15 17 20 8 10 5 7 2 non-cumulative # of people accessing benefits (SNAP, Cal-Fresh,UI
Benefits, SSI, GA,) 2 3 3 5 3 4 3 5 12 8 2 non-cumulative # Of healthcare referrals (includes IMDT refs) 4 4 3 2 3 2 2 1 10 2 1 non-cumulative # Expired Registrations (Morris and Laguna, &
Greater Seb. Area) 6 3 2 1 2 3 3 3 0 6 4 non-cumulative # Registration Renewals (WCCS fund req.
submitted ) 4 7 9 9 11 2 0 1 1 1 1 non-cumulative
other types of assistance (Zoom appts, other
programs/services) ie taking people to court, etc 4 4 5 6 5 3 2 5 2 2 2 non-cumulative # Of Volunteers hours (6 vol. x 9 wks. x 4hr shifts) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 non-cumulative Community Engagement Mtgs (SAVS, WCHA, City
Council, neighborhood meetings) 4 5 6 5 3 2 10 4 3 2 2 non-cumulative # of people who became un-housed in sebastopol 5 5 12 11 11 7 2 4 6 1 1 non-cumulative # of people who became un-housed in cities other
than sebastopol 8 6 5 4 8 6 1 4 2 2 3 non-cumulative
# of people enrolled in Coordinated Entry 12 9 6 8 non-cumulative Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Homeless Project Type (HMIS
Definitions)
Project Type
Totals 22-23
Contract
Percent of Total Project Type
Totals
23-24
Requested
Percent of Total Year Over Year
Difference Dollars
Project Types
Proposed
Year Over Year
Difference in
Percent Project
Types Proposed
Homeless
Services Team
Recommended
By Project Type
Percent
Total 23-24
Recommended
Amounts by CoC
Total 23-24
Recommdations
Percent
FY 22-23 tp FY
23-24 Percent
Change in
Project Funding
Coordinated Entry $ 185,559 3% $ 86,759 1% $ (98,800) -3% $ 86,759 1% $ 86,759 1% -2% Emergency Shelter $ 2,065,726 35% $ 2,880,567 20% $ 814,841 -15% $ 2,719,025 40% $ 2,785,925 42% 7% Homeless Prevention $ 120,000 2% $ 1,042,897 7% $ 922,897 5% $ 166,635 2% $ 126,635 2% 0% Non Congregate Shelter $ 522,678 9% $ 1,688,581 12% $ 1,165,903 3% $ 35,820 1% $ 125,820 2% -7% Permanent Supportive Housing $ 602,452 10% $ 1,331,919 9% $ 729,467 -1% $ 839,246 12% $ 839,216 13% 2% Rapid ReHousing $ 1,439,395 25% $ 3,352,519 23% $ 1,913,124 -1% $ 2,008,391 29% $ 1,588,392 24% -1% Street Outreach $ 685,092 12% $ 1,372,653 10% $ 687,561 -2% $ 543,211 8% $ 485,571 7% -4% Other Projects $ 252,352 4% $ 2,681,602 19% $ 2,429,250 14% $ 476,502 7% $ 615,502 9% 5% Funding Recommendation Total $ 5,873,254 100% $ 14,437,497 100% $ 8,564,243 0% $ 6,875,589 100% $ 6,653,820 100% 0% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Shaded green cells in Col. K were the final recommendation made by F/E - June 8, 2023 for five projects Projects indicated as 'New' may be new to the application process, but may have been in operation HST reference indicates - Homeless Services Team
Figures do not include additional funding streams such as Measure O or ARPA Sonoma Continuum of Care CA-504
FY 2023-24 NOFA Recommendation Summary
System Shifts
HomeFirst Ongoing Ask MG Sonoma County Coordinated Entry $ 185,559 $ 86,759 $ (98,800) $ 86,759 $ 86,759 $ - Total Coordinated Entry Total Projects: 1 $ 185,559 $ 86,759 $ (98,800) $ 86,759 $ 86,759 $ - #DIV/0! Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request -53%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Coordinated Entry
Catholic Charities Ongoing Households >1 Family Support Center $ 200,000 $ 225,000 $ 25,000 $ 225,000 $ 225,000 $ - 7% Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals Sam Jones Hall $ 323,000 $ 640,408 $ 317,408 $ 640,408 $ 582,408 $ (58,000) 75% Community Action Partnership Ongoing Women's Shelter Sloan House $ 52,153 $ 109,387 $ 57,234 $ 30,000 $ 95,000 $ (14,387) 30% COTS Ongoing Single Individuals Mary Isaak Center $ 422,590 $ 549,367 $ 126,777 $ 549,367 $ 549,367 $ - 50% Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth Dream Center and ES Winter Shelter $ 169,215 $ 246,405 $ 77,190 $ 246,405 $ 246,405 $ - 8% West County Community ServicesOngoing Single Individuals West County Navigation Center $ 864,000 $ 960,000 $ 96,000 $ 960,000 $ 960,000 $ - 51% YWCA Sonoma County Ongoing Women's DV ShelterYWCA Safe House $ 34,768 $ 150,000 $ 115,232 $ 67,845 $ 127,745 $ (22,255) 0% Total Emergency Shelter Total Projects: 7 $ 2,065,726 $ 2,880,567 $ 814,841 $ 2,719,025 $ 2,785,925 $ (94,642) 31% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 39%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Emergency Shelters
Community Action Partnership New Households >1 Season of Sharing Homeless Prevention $ - $ 81,765 $ 81,765 $ 40,000 $ - $ (81,765) HomeFirst New Households >1 Sonoma County Homeless Prevention $ - $ 393,923 $ 393,923 $ - $ - $ (393,923) Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth SAY TAY Homeless Prevention (YOUTH) $ 30,000 $ 31,830 $ 1,830 $ 31,830 $ 31,830 $ - The Living Room New Households +1 Women TLR Homeless Prevention RE? $ - $ 440,574 $ 440,574 $ - $ - $ (440,574) 11% West County Community ServicesOngoing All Adult HouseholdsWCCS Homeless Prevention $ 90,000 $ 94,805 $ 4,805 $ 94,805 $ 94,805 $ - 30% Total Homeless Prevention Total Projects: 5 $ 120,000 $ 1,042,897 $ 922,897 $ 166,635 $ 126,635 $ (916,262) 20% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 769%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Homeless Prevention
21. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
HomeFirst New n/a Labath Landing $ - $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ 35,820 $ - Homeless Action Sonoma New Single Individuals Home and Safe Center $ - $ 921,000 $ 921,000 $ - $ 90,000 $ (831,000) Sonoma Applied Village ServicesOngoing All Households Horizon Shine $ 522,678 $ 731,761 $ 209,083 $ - $ - $ (731,761) 11% Total No-Congregate Shelter Total Projects: 3 $ 522,678 $ 1,688,581 $ 1,165,903 $ 35,820 $ 125,820 $ (1,837,633) 11% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 223.1% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended Note
Percent CH
Served
Non-Congregate Shelter
Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals PSH Alternatives $ 200,000 $ 337,787 $ 137,787 $ 337,787 $ 337,787 $ - 78% Catholic Charities Ongoing Single Individuals Palms Inn $ 135,000 $ 156,820 $ 21,820 $ 156,850 $ 156,820 $ - 100% Community Support Network Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth CSN PSH - Housing First (Stony Point) $ 111,104 $ 152,019 $ 40,915 $ 152,019 $ 152,019 $ - Reach for Home Ongoing Households >1 RFH Permanent Supportive Housing $ 119,348 $ 140,000 $ 20,652 $ 140,000 $ 140,000 $ - 67% SHARE Sonoma County New Seniors 62+ Community Shared Housing Program $ - $ 492,703 $ 492,703 $ - $ - $ (492,703) 20% West County Commuinty ServicesOngoing Households >1 Meeting Their Needs$ 37,000 $ 52,590 $ 15,590 $ 52,590 $ 52,590 $ - 43% Total Perm Supportive Housing Total Projects: 6 $ 602,452 $ 1,331,919 $ 729,467 $ 839,246 $ 839,216 $ (492,703) 62% Percent Difference in Funding Requests 121.1%
Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Permanent Supportive Housing
Community Action Partnership New Mixed COTS Rapid Re-Housing $ 188,965 $ 1,350,411 $ 1,161,446 $ 81,683 $ - $ (1,350,411) 0% COTS New Households >1 Rapid Re-Housing $ - $ 236,207 $ 236,207 $ 236,207 $ 217,310 $ (18,897) 27% Interfaith Shelter Network Ongoing Single Individuals IFSN Rapid ReHousing $ 225,213 $ 527,000 $ 301,787 $ 527,000 $ 258,995 $ (268,005) Reach for Home Ongoing Households >1 RFH Rapid Re-Housing $ 43,546 $ 80,000 $ 36,454 $ 80,000 $ 50,078 $ (29,922) 11% SHARE Sonoma County Ongoing Seniors 62+ SHARE Rapid Re-Housing $ 311,366 $ 374,717 $ 63,351 $ 374,717 $ 358,071 $ (16,646) 56% Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing TAY SAY Rapid Re-Housing (YOUTH) $ 187,457 $ 187,457 $ - $ 112,057 $ 180,167 $ (7,290) 39% TLC Ongoing TAY TLC RAY Rapid Re-Housing $ 212,920 $ 317,814 $ 104,894 $ 317,814 $ 244,858 $ (72,956) 11% West County Community ServicesOngoing Check App/APR WCCS Rapid Re-Housing $ 269,928 $ 278,913 $ 8,985 $ 278,913 $ 278,913 $ - 39% Total Rapid ReHousing Total Projects: 8 $ 1,439,395 $ 3,352,519 $ 1,913,124 $ 2,008,391 $ 1,588,392 $ (1,764,127) 26% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 132.9% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Rapid Re-Housing
Catholic Charities Ongoing All Households Homeless Outreach Services Team $ 325,651 $ 368,324 $ 42,673 $ 368,324 $ 238,324 $ (130,000) 59% City of Petaluma New Mental Heealth Subpop Enhanced Mental Health and Outreach $ - $ 600,000 $ 600,000 $ - $ - $ (600,000) Reach for Home Ongoing All Households RFH Street Outreach$ 34,768 $ 80,000 $ 45,232 $ 80,000 $ 80,000 $ - Social Advocates for Youth Ongoing Transitional Aged Youth SAY Street Outreach (YOUTH) $ 211,542 $ 228,100 $ 16,558 $ 94,887 $ 94,887 $ (133,213) 38% Sonoma Applied Village ServicesOngoing All Households SAVS Outreach Personel and System Info $ 113,131 $ 96,229 $ (16,902) $ - $ 72,360 $ (23,869) 52% Total Street Outreach Total Projects: 5 $ 685,092 $ 1,372,653 $ 687,561 $ 543,211 $ 485,571 $ (887,082) 50% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 100.4% Agency Name RFP Type
Subpop
Applicability Project Name
FY 22-23
Funding
FY 23-24
Requested Difference HST Recommended
Final CoC
Recommended
Difference to
Request
Percent CH
Served
Street Outreach
Catholic Charities Ongoing All Households Homeless Services Center $ 50,000 $ 181,500 $ 131,500 $ 181,500 $ 181,500 $ - 58% City of Santa Rosa New Single Adults Sam Jones Capital $ - $ 955,100 $ 955,100 $ - $ 232,000 $ (723,100) 0% West County Community ServicesNew Single Adults George's Highway Capital $ - $ 1,250,000 $ 1,250,000 $ - $ - $ (1,250,000) 0% SHARE Sonoma County Ongoing Adults 62+ Focus Home Share Program$ 202,352 $ 295,002 $ 92,650 $ 295,002 $ 202,002 $ (93,000) 20% Total Other Project Types Total Projects: 4 $ 252,352 $ 2,681,602 $ 2,429,250 $ 476,502 $ 615,502 $ (2,953,182) 20% Percent Difference 22-23 Funding to 23-24 Request 962.6% Other Project Types
22. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Household Type Analysis Transitional Aged
Youth
Households +1 Single Adults Special Pops Mixed
Households
Total
Coordinated Entry 0 0 0 0 1 1
Emergency Shelter 1 1 3 2 0 7
Homeless Prevention 1 3 0 0 1 5
Non Congregate Shelter 0 0 1 0 2 3
Permanent Supportive Housing 1 2 3 1 0 7
Rapid ReHousing 2 1 2 1 1 7
Street Outreach 1 0 0 1 3 5
-Other Projects 0 0 3 1 0 4
6 7 12 6 8 39
Applications with Strong Declaration
for Enhance Case Management
Number with most
boxes checked on
Goal 2 (Enhanced
Csae Mgmt)
Percent
Coordinated Entry 1 6%
Emergency Shelter 3 19%
Homeless Prevention 1 6%
Non Congregate Shelter 1 6%
Permanent Supportive Housing 3 19%
Rapid ReHousing 4 25%
Street Outreach 1 6%
-Other Projects 2 13%
16 100%
Application Status by Project New Applications New Projects Funded
Ongoing Contracts Ongoing Funded Total
Coordinated Entry 0 0 1 1 1
Emergency Shelter 0 1 7 7 7
Homeless Prevention 3 0 2 2 5
Non Congregate Shelter 2 2 1 1 3
Permanent Supportive Housing 1 0 5 5 6
Rapid ReHousing 2 1 6 6 8
Street Outreach 1 0 4 2 5
-Other Projects 2 0 2 2 4
11 4 28 26 39
28% 10% 72% 67% 100%
Applied For and Funded by Agency
Applied For Percent Total Funded Percent Total Difference Applied to
Funded
Catholic Charities $ 1,909,839 13% $ 1,721,839 12% -1%
City of Petaluma $ 600,000 4% $ - 0% -4%
City of Santa Rosa $ 955,100 7% $ 232,000 2% -5%
Community Action Partnership $ 1,541,563 11% $ 95,000 1% -10% Community Support Network $ 152,019 1% $ 152,019 1% 0%
COTS $ 785,574 5% $ 766,677 5% 0%
HomeFirst $ 516,502 4% $ 122,579 1% -3%
Homeless Action Sonoma $ 921,000 6% $ 90,000 1% -6%
Interfaith Shelter Network $ 527,000 4% $ 258,995 2% -2% Reach for Home $ 300,000 2% $ 270,078 2% 0%
SHARE Sonoma County $ 1,162,422 8% $ 560,073 4% -4%
Social Advocates for Youth $ 693,792 5% $ 553,289 4% -1% Sonoma Applied Village Services $ 827,990 6% $ 72,360 1% -5% The Living Room $ 440,574 3% $ - 0% -3%
TLC Child and Family $ 317,814 2% $ 244,858 2% -1%
West County Community Services $ 2,636,308 18% $ 1,386,308 10% -9% YWCA Sonoma County $ 150,000 1% $ 127,745 1% 0%
$ 14,437,497 100% $ 6,653,820 46%
Geographic Equity (presumed funded) Santa Rosa Petaluma/RP North County Sonoma Valley West County Total Coordinated Entry $ 86,759 $ 86,759
Emergency Shelter $ 1,279,558 $ 549,367 $ - $ - $ 960,000 $ 2,788,925 Homeless Prevention $ 31,830 $ 94,805 $ 126,635
Non Congregate Shelter $ 35,820 $ 90,000 $ - $ 125,820
Permanent Supportive Housing $ 646,626 $ 140,000 $ 52,590 $ 839,216 Rapid ReHousing $ 1,042,727 $ 217,310 $ 50,078 $ 278,913 $ 1,589,028 Street Outreach $ 333,211 $ - $ 80,000 $ 72,360 $ 485,571 -Other Projects $ 615,502 $ - $ 615,502
$ 4,036,213 $ 802,497 $ 270,078 $ 90,000 $ 1,458,668 $ 6,657,456 61% 12% 4% 1% 22% 100%
Note: $ 3,636
Subpop Analysis (other)
Amt Applied For Amt Funded Percent of Total
Funded Amount
Women's Services $ - $ 440,574 0.00%
Mature Persons $ 1,162,422 $ 560,073 17.46%
Domestic Violence $ 150,000 $ 127,745 2.25%
Transitional Aged Youth $ 1,163,625 $ 950,166 17.48%
$ 2,476,047 $ 2,078,558 37%
Sonoma Continuum of Care CA-504
FY 2023-24 NOFA Recommendation
Summary
Applications by Household Type (estimated by earlier program knowledge) Geographic equity estimates are distributed based on tPierce knowledge of where projects might be serving clients or the agency's administrative address Note: because of rfp language this may not be a good chart (still under development) Note: the term new projects needs to be distinguished between newly operating or new to funding request
23. Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
INFORMATION FROM THE COC REGARDING HOMELESSNESS MATTERS COUNTYWIDE Regional Homelessness Services and Programs Report – June 2023 Santa Rosa
The City of Santa Rosa successfully secured a State Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Grant in Round 2, that will help provide more funding for increased street outreach – it will include four additional outreach workers who will target Santa Rosa’s SW and SE encampment areas. Case managers will focus on housing readiness with the grant, which also provides some rapid rehousing funds as well as some site and operational expenses at the UFO Safe Parking Site.
Catholic Charities is expected to provide the staffing under the grant.
Santa Rosa’s safe parking site, which has been up and running for over a year, continues to provide housing readiness supports. About 60 people are sheltering there, with a waiting list of another 40 people.
Santa Rosa is working on its Strategic Plan implementation, especially the homelessness prevention elements. They’re discussing partnering with All Home California, and will look to HOME-ARP and related funding for a possible prevention program. The plan is likely to include cash and rental assistance, and may include the assistance portal that All Home described to the CoC Board in May, 2023.
A new camping ordinance will go to the Santa Rosa City Council in August 2023 – that ordinance may be modeled off of those adopted by other local jurisdictions.
Santa Rosa is working on participating in a larger By Names List for the region (including active case conferencing), once specific hurdles involving access to HMIS are addressed.
The Commons, the former Gold Coin Motel, is under construction as a PSH site and is expected to open later in 2023.
Petaluma and South Sonoma County
Studios at Montero (“SAM” – a PSH Homekey-2 project). As soon as the week of June 20th , all construction at SAM was slated to be complete and all units occupied. SAM includes 60 rooms.
Petaluma wanted to especially note the hard work of COTS’ Julia Gaines in working to lease-up residency at the site with persons coming out of homelessness.
As noted last month, the City’s Strategic Planning effort continues with an update as to Year 2 activities. On June 19th, the City Council will have considered several homelessness servicesrelated contracts, including with COTS for the Mary Isaak Center, Petaluma People’s Village (PPV), HomeFirst (a new contract for housing-focused case management and landlord recruitment, and with the Downtown Streets Team (DST) and its mobile shower program.
According to Karen Shimizu, DST will continue with employment outreach and training programs, while HomeFirst will focus on street outreach and landlord recruitment.
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
Petaluma received a portion of the recent $3M in Measure O funds – in this case, the funds awarded will focus on street outreach and close work with COTS and Petaluma People’s Village.
A recent Council report shows that 7 of the 25 in PPV have moved to permanent housing within the year or so of operations of the Village.
Regarding increasing units of affordable and/or permanent supportive housing, the region has these projects in the pipeline:
• A large DANCO project of 131 units, 33 of which will be PSH. Danco has acquired the site and put in funding applications in application in partnership with SMART and Petaluma • Burbank Housing’s Petaluma Boulevard South would provide 50 units, with 13 PSH. • Mid-Pen’s 414 Petaluma Boulevard North will provide 43 units and is under construction.
Will open Summer 2024 – 13 units of PSH.
• Mid-Pen is also working to acquire a site for another 50 units in Petaluma.
The City Council recently adopted a new tenant protection ordinance – new info on website.
The City is also considering a Mobile Home Rent Control ordinance as soon as June 19, which would limit increases in rent to 4% or CPI. The City has seven mobile home parks – five are for seniors only, and two are for families.
The City of Petaluma has been discussing coordinating its By Names List work in partnership with the City of Sonoma, in an effort to reduce the BNL’s administrative expenses on both agencies.
County of Sonoma
We brought our Measure O recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on June 12, where they were approved. There is a next round of funding-related items set to go to the Board on July 18, 2023, including an additional $2.0 million from Measure O.
The County received $4.57 million from the State’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) Round 2 process, for a grant that provided a pathway to permanent housing for many individuals coming from the Joe Rodota Trail. The grant action plan envisions:
• 2 more supportive services staff members (Sr. Client Support Specialists) for two years • Funding for additional SHARE Sonoma County community houses • Funding for improvements to existing interim housing sites. • Funding for grant administration.
The County is working in partnership with TLC Child and Family Services on a Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) project in unincorporated Santa Rosa. This grant application is due no later than July 28, 2023. The project includes a 26-unit motel and a 30-unit RV park. Ten of the 26 units Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
will be PSH, 16 of the 26 will be interim housing. The RV park will be interim housing with a plan to convert to permanent housing over about five years.
The County continues to work on its Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) plan, which would spend about $11.2 million over several years. BHBH is oriented towards the BH needs of homeless individuals, and is geared towards providing interim housing that will include treatment beds. The CoC Board will receive a presentation on the County’s BHBH program in June 2023 from BH Division Director Jan Cobaleda-Kegler.
DHS’ Homelessness Services Division continues its work to provide encampment resolution (IMDT/HEART) as well as higher level care for persons recently houses (IMDT/SOUL). While some positions at both sections have been filled, about 3 slots remain open and unfilled. The IMDT/Homekey cohort has two staff members (both hired in early June) who have started their work in Project Homekey sites at Labath Landing. These two staff members will also work to assist at Studios at Montero and the L&M Village.
The Sonoma County Housing Connector Program was officially rolled out in March of this year.
This program rolls all of the functions of landlord outreach, supportive services engagement, and tenant housing searches into one web-based platform. The platform has restricted access and only those who have a rental subsidy can access the available units in the system. Through the platform, landlords can list their units and tenants can easily view the unit listings, communicate with landlords and submit rental applications. As of last week, the platform had 157 registered home seekers, 97 registered property owners, 58 registered supportive service provider case managers representing 10 agencies, and 85 available rental units. The programs overarching goal is to centralize housing location throughout the county, eliminating duplicative efforts between supportive services agencies and the housing authorities and make housing for the area’s most vulnerable residents accessible.
2022-23 Grand Jury Report. The Sonoma County Grand Jury reported at the end of June 2023 that the County needed to partner better with cities to address a need for coordinated establishment, staffing, and funding for warming centers in the wintertime. The report entitled “Warming Centers: County Action Needed Now” included notes that “even though the number of (warning center) spaces available was less than the perceived need, there was no evidence that people in need of shelter were turned away due to lack of availability” and that “the data that were available demonstrated that warming centers were not used to capacity.” All Home California – DHS/HS staff met with Mary Kate of All Home California, a partner with Keep Oakland Housed, to learn more about what a Sonoma County-based homelessness prevention plan might look like. After our meeting, we committed to talking with All Home and the City of Santa Rosa as to planning for a homelessness prevention pilot or related project.
AT HOME (CSAC) – the DHS staff worked with the County Administrator’s Office to consider support for a California State Association of Counties (CSAC) budget trailer bill mirrored on CSAC’s AT HOME Plan that would, among other things, make funding such as HHAP annualized Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
versus only issued in rounds. While Governor Newsom and the Legislature have approved another round of HHAP in FY 23-24, it remains a funding program that cities, CoCs, and counties cannot fully rely upon without some commitment by Sacramento to promise to fund it annually.
Healdsburg and North County
The Reach for Home and County teams submitted an ERF-2 grant application in late February, but it was not awarded in June 2023. The grant envisioned helping to house up to 40 persons residing at the Syar encampment on private property (and a portion on State Right of Way) along the Russian River in Healdsburg. RFH and the County team will try to re-tool the grant to resubmit by the close of June, 2023. The County, city, and RFH met to discuss the resubmittal strategy as well as what options might be available should the grant not be awarded.
The L&M Village in Healdsburg (Project Homekey-2 interim housing site) is currently at full capacity and all construction is complete. City and Reach for Home officials were happy to have been able to reach an occupancy date that secured the Homekey early occupancy bonus. The next quarterly update on the L&M comes to City Council on September 5, 2023.
Healdsburg continues to work on new affordable housing projects, including the recently opened “The Randall” at the Mill District (41 residents who are <60% AMI) and the recently renovated and reopened apartments on Piper and University. Other projects in the pipeline include the
County teams from DHS, City of Cloverdale staff, and Reach for Home worked on a particularly challenging case in May that involved a couple with significant behavioral and physical health needs. While the collaboration ended up succeeding in leading to housing for this couple, it pointed out the need for better exit plans for persons leaving the hospital system.
West County – from West County Community Services
Some nice improvements are underway at Sebastopol’s Park Village, where the first swap-out of an older housing unit with a new Tiny Home has occurred. This is part of a larger effort by WCCS to replace older housing units with up to 8 new tiny homes of various sizes and scope.
WCCS received Measure O funding for about $370,000 of these replacements, and will work to convert them over time.
The first Tiny Home also has a tenant with a Sonoma County Housing Authority housing choice voucher, which is also an innovation with SCHA and tiny homes. This model may be replicated at other locations across Sonoma County, as wheeled (but anchored) and other tiny homes are used with housing choice and other vouchers to improve the financial sustainability of tiny home projects for persons with very low income.
The Guerneville Navigation Center continues operations through the summer, with additional CoC funding approved for FY 23-24. Clients have been placed at Studios at Montero in Petaluma. One note from Dannielle Danforth (a lesson learned, and a paraphrase) – it’s Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
important that all of us engaged in leasing up Homekey and other locations are cognizant of our clients’ wariness of disappointment in securing housing. Sometimes a construction delay, while understandable to government and service provider staff, can be devastating and traumainducing to clients who might be predisposed to assuming disappointment. The “rug has been pulled out from them too many times to believe the system’s officials when government says the housing is coming.”
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
This information was included in the last report. It is included again in case readers may need a refresher in how the COC functions and what it is.
Background on COC Structure and Purpose
The Continuum of Care (CoC) is Sonoma County's collaborative effort representing the homeless services system of care. This system of care includes local governments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and businesses. Governed by a seventeen-member Continuum of Care Board, the countywide effort is responsible for oversight of funds designated to the Continuum of Care and planning/policy development for addressing homelessness countywide regardless of funding source. The Board consists of local elected officials and appointees, nonprofit representatives, subject matter experts, and individuals with lived homeless experience.
Every geographic area nationally (usually counties) is required by HUD/the federal government to establish a Continuum of Care Governance structure that includes three things: (1) A Lead Agency to manage the business of the CoC and support the CoC Board, (2) an entity to manage an HMIS (Homelessness Management Information System) system and select a federally approved HMIS software system, and (3) an entity/system that tracks unhoused individuals cases and that manages coordinated entry to the homeless system of care between jurisdictions and providers. In Sonoma County these entities are:
• The Lead Agency has been designated by the CoC Board as the County of Sonoma. • The HMIS system has been designated by the CoC Board as the County which also contracts with a software vendor.
• The Coordinated Entry system maintenance and management has been designated by the CoC Board as nonprofit vendor, HomeFirst.
The CoC Board meets monthly via Zoom. Its agenda, reports and link to its meetings can be found here.
Additionally, the COC has subcommittees that include Board members and designated individuals from the community. Sebastopol/West County’s COC representative is Una Glass, who is a member of the Funding and Evaluation Committee as well as a member of the governing Board.
The CoC Board adopted a 5 Year Strategic Plan in December of 2022. The plan was also adopted by the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors The Plan’s three primary objectives are:
1. Invest in more housing and prevention. It is imperative to reduce the inflow of people into homelessness and create more pathways to long-term housing stability. Doing so will require investments in both homelessness prevention and housing solutions.
2. Strengthen supportive services. The current system of care strains to meet the complex and diverse supportive services needs of people in the community who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness. That strain is felt not only by people experiencing homelessness, but also by homeless service providers, who are overtaxed and under-resourced. Building supportive services capacity is critical to ease this strain and better meet the needs of those in a housing crisis.
3. Operate as one coordinated system. Sonoma is a large county with many local governments and a broad array of service providers and other stakeholders whose work directly or indirectly impacts homelessness. To achieve functional zero, partners across the Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023
county must work to develop shared priorities, aligned investments, seamless coordination, and equitable solutions to the crisis of homelessness. (note: Functional Zero is that point when a community's homeless services system is able to prevent homelessness whenever possible and ensure that when homelessness does occur, it is rare, brief and one-time.) These three goals are meant to guide the priorities of all the jurisdictions throughout the County.
The CoC also includes “memberships”. Some of the seats on the CoC Board are elected by member organizations. The member organizations are listed at the bottom of this report. The COC holds quarterly membership meetings that provide a venue for information exchange between members.
Voting Members of the Sonoma County Continuum of Care.
1. St Vincent de Paul
2. Santa Rosa Community Health
3. Interfaith Shelter Network
4. City of Santa Rosa
5. Disability Services and Legal Center (DSLC)
6. City of Healdsburg
7. City of Petaluma
8. Sonoma County Office of Education, Education for Homeless Children and Youth
9. City of Cotati
10. Community Support Network
11. COTS- Committee on the Shelterless
12. West County Health Center
13. Homes 4 The Homeless
14. Face to Face
15. Food for Thought
16. Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
17. West County Community Services
18. Providence
19. City of Rohnert Park
20. Redwood Gospel Mission
21. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
22. Kaiser Permanente
23. Petaluma Health Center
24. Social Advocates for Youth
25. DEMA Consulting and Management
26. City of Sebastopol
27. County of Sonoma
28. Nation's Finest
29. Homeless Action!
30. Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce
31. Center Point Drug Abuse Alternatives Center
32. Burbank Housing
33. SAVS (Sonoma Applied Village Services)
34. Reach for Home
35. Homeless Action Sonoma
36. HomeFirst
37. The Living Room
38. NAACP Santa Rosa-Sonoma County
39. Town of Windsor
Council Committee Report Out City Council Packet of July 18, 2023