This is part 2 of our series of newsletters highlighting some of the key accomplishments across West County in the past year.

Warming Centers

2022 is coming to a chilly end! Freeze and frost pose a significant health risk, particularly for the unhoused. District 5 has been hard at work ensuring access to warming centers or shelters. Shelter capacity has been expanded across the County, and in District 5, Supervisor Hopkins coordinated with Sebastopol's City Council to help support the creation of a temporary warming center at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center on 390 Morris Street. We also worked with West County Community Services (WCCS) to make sure extra beds are available at their 24/7 Homeless Navigation Site, located at the Vets Building in Guerneville and the Senior Center is also open.

More information about accessing Warming Centers or preparing for winter storms can be found here.

2022 Point-in-Time Count

Did you know the number of unhoused individuals in West County has decreased significantly over the past year? Each year, homeless individuals are counted in a Point-in-Time Count. The most recent one-day census took place on February 25, 2022. On that day, 2,893 homeless individuals were counted across Sonoma County. This number includes 48 families, 521 youth, and 191 veterans. While this was an increase of about 5% from the 2020 count, the number represents a significant decline over the past decade (in 2011, the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness was 4,539). In West County, the number of unhoused individuals has not increased. In fact, the number of homeless individuals has decreased from 228 unhoused individuals in 2020 to 49 unhoused individuals in 2022. 

Click here to review the Point-in-Time Count.

Housing Solutions

Supervisor Hopkins works closely with local and County organizations to create and manage a variety of housing solutions that make it possible for individuals to transition out of homelessness. 

Guerneville

One critical housing solution is a 24/7 homeless navigation site in Guerneville that is managed by West County Community Services (WCCS). This shelter is one that Supervisor Hopkins championed in response to the need to provide safe housing to folks during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, the Guerneville shelter was seasonal and only open overnight. Due to its success, the shelter has expanded and is open and staffed around-the-clock. We're looking forward to adding a second housing solution in Guerneville, George’s Hideaway. This site was acquired in 2022 and is projected to open in 2023. It will provide 21 units of permanent supportive housing. 

Sebastopol

Supervisor Hopkins has been a strong advocate for a 25-space safe parking site, Horizon Shine. Horizon Shine is located in Sebastopol and is for persons living in RVs, cars, or tents, most of whom formerly resided on Morris Street in Sebastopol. Sonoma Applied Village Services (SAVS) manages this site and provides case management, recovery services, and at least one meal per day for Horizon Shine tenants. Elderberry Commons is another unique housing solution located in Sebastopol. Elderberry Commons was opened during the pandemic to provide safe shelter to Covid vulnerable individuals. The residents are 65 years or older and/or have chronic or acute health conditions such as cancer, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes. Supervisor Hopkins worked closely with Sebastopol City Council to secure HomeKey funding and purchase Elderberry Commons (formerly the Sebastopol Inn) in December 2020. Elderberry Commons provides 31 rooms for up to 42 individuals. Onsite support staff and case managers help residents build independent living skills, connect people with health care, treatment and employment services. So far, case managers at Elderberry Commons have helped 20 individuals move into permanent housing.

Michael's Experience at Elderberry Commons

Michael formerly resided at Elderberry Commons. He had been renting a room in a family home in Coffey Park when the 2017 fire came through and destroyed the house. After the fire, Michael moved into his vehicle for about 4 months. Through the County’s Coordinated Entry program, Michael found temporary housing at Sam Jones, the Sandman Motel, and the Astro before moving into Elderberry Commons in December of 2021 and becoming housed by July 2022. During that time, Michael was employed by the County's Department of Emergency Management and is now the Resource Person at Elderberry Commons, helping others with similar journeys.

Services for the Unhoused

Now that West County has a wide range of housing options, we've seen more and more unhoused individuals accepting County services, the first step to transition out of homelessness. The clearing of the Guerneville Park and Ride encampment is evidence of this. When the site was recently cleared, 8 of the 12 individuals accepted shelter and 10 of 12 accepted services. What are services? These are the vital tools and support unhoused folks need to transition to permanent housing. This can include case management, crisis support, transportation services, access to clean showers, access to food, connection to medical support and/or rehabilitation, and shelter. Unhoused individuals receive services and support through Coordinated Entry, a program that matches people experiencing homelessness to available supportive housing programs.

We are fortunate to be able to share a couple of stories that illustrate the impact these services can have:

Adam and the Crisis Support Fund

Adam is a hard-working young man who became homeless on the lower Russian River during the pandemic. He ended up living in his RV, which was functional and provided a safe, decent place to sleep. He worked at a local business and had enough money for gas, food, and basic necessities, but when his registration expired, he didn't have the money to pay it off. Adam feared that his RV would be ticketed and towed, thus losing his home and likely his job. Adam approached WCCS, a critical County partner that provides both shelter and services to unhoused individuals. WCCS verified his situation and, using money from its Crisis Support fund, paid the registration fee directly to the DMV. For less than $500, Adam has maintained his place to live, his employment, and his dignity. WCCS provided Crisis Support to 164 individuals in West County this year.

Noel and the Rapid Rehousing Program

When Noel lost her home, she had no immediate housing option other than her own parked car on a local street. Unfortunately, her vehicle was in poor shape, needing thousands of dollars of repairs to remain street-legal and safe, and would likely be quickly towed. Like many people in our community, especially individuals facing homelessness, Noel did not have the funds for the needed repairs. As is the case with so many vulnerable seniors in our community, Noel was directed to Jeff, WCCS's Case Manager at the Russian River Senior Resource Center, for assistance. Jeff first worked with Noel on immediate food and housing issues. As access to a functioning vehicle can be a lifeline to sustainable food, employment, health, and housing solutions, Jeff contacted K-Tech Automotive, an auto shop in Sebastopol, and nominated Noel for the annual K-Tech Automotive car donation program. Noel was fortunate to be selected for the program and exchanged her vehicle at K-Tech for a mechanically sound vehicle (and one year of free maintenance) at no cost to her. After solving Noel’s car dilemma, Jeff referred Noel to one of our Housing Specialists for assistance. The Specialist worked with Noel to develop a budget and determine what rent she could sustain. Through the Rapid-Rehousing Program, WCCS paid the deposit and part of the first month’s rent for Noel’s apartment so she could ease successfully into housing. Noel is now stable, mobile, and housed. 

Supporting All Five Districts

County-Wide Solutions

Supervisor Hopkins supports efforts across all five districts to ensure homeless individuals across the county have resources. She advocated for the purchase of Mickey Zane Place (formerly Hotel Azura) in Santa Rosa and championed the creation of Los Guilicos Village in Oakmont, a solution that was needed to house homeless residents previously encamped on the Joe Rodota Trail.

We're also pleased to report the recent approval of $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for projects addressing homelessness. These programs will increase interim housing opportunities, create more rental units, and bolster outreach efforts to prevent homelessness by helping individuals stay housed.

More information about how these funds will be utilized can be found here.

How You Can Help Those in Need

Inspired to help those in need? There are a number of ways for you to get involved: 

Donate Warm Items

SAVS distributes survival gear to unhoused folks in our area. Due to the recent cold and rain, their supplies have been depleted and they’re in need of blankets, sleeping bags, coats, tents, and other warm items like gloves and socks. Donations can be made to the SAVS office M-F from 1-5pm at 6 W. 9^th Street. Call 707-852-0860 to be greeted by staff when you arrive at the gated entrance. 

Provide Transportation to Seniors

The Russian River Senior Center and Sebastopol Senior Center have teamed up to help provide transportation to seniors who are no longer driving. If you love driving and want to help seniors get to their medical appointments and favorite grocery stores, please call Scotty, 707-827- 8429 or email [email protected] to learn more about becoming a volunteer driver. Mileage reimbursement may be available.

STAY CONNECTED