Board approves $14.4 million to address homelessness and housing in Sonoma County

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved $14.4 million to address the region’s housing and homelessness crises, including $11.8 million in federal and state grant funding for Continuum of Care and local homeless services programming. An additional $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would directly support local homeless service providers. 

The Board of Supervisors also approved $86,004 for the county’s Community Development Commission to develop a regional Homeless Action Plan. Homebase, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building community capacity to end homelessness based out of San Francisco, was selected by the Sonoma County Continuum of Care Board to help in the development of the plan. 

“The actions today provide critical funding for permanent housing solutions, emergency shelters and rapid rehousing, for individuals in need,” said Supervisor James Gore, Chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Together, in partnership with the Continuum of Care and our local cities, the county investments take another step toward the goal of ending homelessness.”

The funding will be used for street outreach, emergency shelter, coordinated entry and development of new housing opportunities for those in need. The funding continues to provide immediate resources while Homebase assistance in developing the action plan meets the State Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention requirements that will enable access to subsequent rounds of funding. 

Initial activities in the development of the Homeless Action Plan included data analysis and research on evidence-based best practices in similar communities and high-performing Continuums of Care throughout the state. Phase two of the Homeless Action Plan will focus on community engagement, developing a needs assessment and facilitating a broad-based discussion about the various entry points into the Continuum of Care for individuals who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. This information will support the work of the subcommittees in identifying key elements and recommendations to implement best practices locally toward the development of a county-wide Strategic Plan on homelessness. 

For a full list of awards and more information on the Homeless Action Plan visit the Continuum of Care page.  

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Contact Information: 
Gilbert Martinez, Communication Specialist  
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org 
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-3040