Dear Council Members and City Staff,
In light of the fact that Elderberry Commons will soon be occupied, I am wondering what the City has in place to mitigate the impact of residents on the downtown area.
As Permanent Supportive Housing is treatment optional, some residents might be using drugs when they occupy the units. Is there a plan to reduce the potential stream of drugs into the community by Elderberry Commons residents?
““They’ve taken these diverse people that have been on the streets forever and put them under a roof so they can do more drugs than what they’re already doing. The place is drug ridden, absolutely drug ridden,” said one resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she feared retaliation.”
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/st-vincent-de-paul-sonoma-county-homelesshousing/?ref=related Even Jack Tibbetts does not think the model works:
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/news/st-vincent-de-paul-homeless-housing/ Recently there was a fire:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/santa-rosa-apartment-fire-2/ It is clear that 30 or so new formerly homeless people in the middle of downtown Sebastopol will bring many challenges. Are there County resources? What is the plan to support surrounding businesses?
I hope there has been thought and planning in this significant change in our downtown.
Thank you.