Addressing Food Insecurity in Sonoma County

Before the federal government shutdown concluded in mid-November, thousands of Sonoma County individuals and families were faced with a disruption to their CalFresh benefits.  

On November 4th, the Board of Supervisors approved up to $1 million and delegated authority to our County Executive to help Redwood Empire Food Bank expand food distribution to support residents impacted by reduced or delayed CalFresh benefits. We also directed staff to engage with philanthropic partners as an additional strategy to address food insecurity needs in our county. Even though CalFresh benefits have been restored, this action allows us to be more nimble should we experience another government shutdown with the same impacts in the near future.  

Additionally, we are well aware that food insecurity is still an issue for many in our county even now that the federal government shutdown is over, and that the holidays can be an especially hard time for our families. Those searching for food support can find local distribution sites via the Redwood Empire Food Bank’s website at getfood.refb.org or by texting “FOOD” or "COMIDA" to (707) 353-3882. Additionally, you can utilize the County’s Open Doors website at opendoorssc.com/findfood or by calling 2-1-1 to find a list of local food pantries. 

Summer Oaks Wall Raising in Sonoma Valley

On October 8th, I attended the ceremonial wall raising to celebrate the construction of Summer Oaks, a 72-unit apartment complex developed by MidPen Housing in Sonoma. Summer Oaks addresses many of our most urgent housing needs in the Sonoma Valley: it will provide apartments for families earning up to 60 percent of the area median income, reserve 52 units for farmworkers and their families, and include eighteen apartments that will have rents subsidized with project-based vouchers approved by the Board of Supervisors, including two set aside for people exiting homelessness to be administered through the County’s Coordinated Entry System. 

The County, through the Community Development Commission, contributed $2.9 million toward the project, which also received support from Bank of America, the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.  

The project is located at 175 W. Verano Ave, and construction is expected to be completed by September 2026. I can’t wait for our working families, our friends and neighbors that are the backbone of our community, to be able to move into these apartments and call them home.  

Photo Credit: Julio Cesar Martinez, courtesy of MidPen Housing

Support for Immigrant Communities

In October, we began hearing reports of possible federal immigration enforcement activity in the Bay Area, bringing with it immense fear and anxiety to our immigrant communities in the North Bay. 

While that action was ultimately called off, the experience reminded us that we must stay prepared here in Sonoma County. I am a member of the Immigrant Support Ad Hoc Committee with Chair Hopkins, and we continue to meet with community stakeholders to develop measures for consideration by our full Board that would support immigrant communities. Additionally, I'm grateful that our County Executive, Christina Rivera, and leaders in the Department of Emergency Management and our safety net departments, among others, are coordinating closely in case we need to respond to a mass enforcement action in the future. I also represented Sonoma County at a regional convening in Santa Clara County in November, where county leaders from across the Bay Area and the state met to share resources, best practices, and lessons learned.

The County’s Support for Immigrant Communities webpage, which you can visit at the link below, is a resource for residents seeking trustworthy information. The webpage provides details on residents’ legal rights and local legal and social services. Resources include the Secure Families Collaborative (707-856-4988), which is funded by the Board of Supervisors, and the North Bay Rapid Response Network 24-hour hotline (707-800-4544), both of which offer legal defense and support for individuals and families affected by immigration actions. Information on County-offered Safety Net services open to all residents is available by visiting the County’s Open Doors website at opendoorssc.com or by calling 2-1-1. 

The HWY 116/121 Roundabout is Now Open!

On October 24th, I attended the ribbon cutting for the roundabout at the intersection of HWY 116 and HWY 121 in Sonoma. This project was a collaboration between Caltrans and the Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authorities (SCTCA), and has been under construction since April 2024. I am grateful to neighbors and passers-by alike for their patience, as well as to my predecessors Supervisors Valerie Brown and Susan Gorin, and I'm so excited to see this project cross the finish line!

The roundabout reduces congestion at the intersection, creates better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, improves safety and traffic flow, and in the future will feature public art.

Sonoma County Launches Open Doors

The Sonoma County Human Services Department recently launched Open Doors, a one-stop shop for information across government, non-profit, and community-based organizations that provide safety net services in our county. Open Doors improves collaboration between providers and better serves our most vulnerable communities seeking resources to serve their basic needs - food assistance, housing and shelter, mental health services, aging and disability assistance, and much more. Open Doors will be an incredible tool for our community, wherever they start to access services, to ensure they get the help they need to thrive. Visit the Open Doors website at the link below to get started.

United Soccer League (USL) Ad Hoc Committee

You may have heard that the United Soccer League (USL) identified Santa Rosa as a potential location, and the Sonoma County Fairgrounds as a preferred site, for a new multi-purpose professional soccer stadium and mixed-use entertainment district. In October, the Board of Supervisors directed County staff to begin formal discussions with the City of Santa Rosa, the Sonoma County Fair Board, and the United Soccer League. Supervisor Coursey and I joined an Ad Hoc Committee to work with staff on these discussions and provide direction on next steps to bring back to our full board. Stay tuned!

Sonoma Valley Community Advisory Commission (SVCAC)

The Sonoma Valley Community Advisory Commission (SVCAC) was established through a Joint Powers Agreement between Sonoma County and the City of Sonoma to serve as a vital public forum for discussing planning decisions that affect both the city and the unincorporated Sonoma Valley.