June 18, 2024
RE: Support for Gravenstein Commons
Dear Mayor Rich, Councilmembers, and staff -
Generation Housing is pleased to share our endorsement and support for the Gravenstein Commons. We appreciate the City Council creating another opportunity for the public to weigh in on this important project.
This project provides a unique opportunity not only to deliver permanent supportive housing for our most vulnerable community members, but also to make a respectable dent in the low to very low income categories of Sebastopol’s 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (“RHNA”) as prescribed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”). More importantly, the project is proximate to a full-service grocery market and less than 2 miles away from a host of other essential and non-essential services that can help root our lower income residents in the community.
The project will also seek to have a net zero energy impact and it will convert an otherwise vacant, non-revenue generating parcel into something that has purpose, might generate some level of income for the community, and create a safe and stable environment for lower income and unhoused members of our community.
We understand this is not an easy decision given the challenges Sebastopol is currently facing. Housing is a top priority across the region, however. And this project enjoys not only a $6.4 million award from HCD’s Homekey Round 3 grant funds, but also a $3 million commitment from the County of Sonoma. As Tina Rivera with the County Department of Health Services noted - “...permanent supportive housing can increase housing stability and improve health [and it’s]...a cost-effective solution.” While the city might be burdened with some additional interim challenges, the net long-term benefit to our community cannot be overstated. Again, we know this is not an easy decision, but housing our community members is, and always will be, the highest priority.
We urge the Sebastopol City Council to reverse their April 2, 2024 decision and pass a resolution delivering on the promises made in respect to Gravenstein Commons.
In partnership,
Calum Weeks
Policy Director | Generation Housing