Sonoma County Housing Authority awarded $1.18 million in funding for new housing vouchers

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded the Sonoma County Housing Authority more than $1.18 million in additional Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers. The 53 new vouchers are in addition to the existing, fully-utilized, 117 vouchers that are provided through the HUD-sponsored FUP, which supports families and youths to find permanent stable housing. 

“Keeping young people from becoming homeless, keeping families housed and together, that is how we progress toward our goal to end homelessness,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “These additional vouchers will provide stability to families and youth in our county. Vouchers have and will continue to be an essential resource in our ongoing efforts to provide stability to some of our most vulnerable populations.”

The Family Unification Program is a coordinated effort between the Sonoma County Housing Authority and the Sonoma County Human Services Division of Family Youth and Children Services. All referrals for this program come to the Housing Authority from the Human Services Department to assist youth with a history of foster care involvement, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children remain in foster care. Under the programs, youths must be between 18 and 24 years old and have left or be in the process of leaving foster care within the next 90 days. 

Families’ vouchers do not have a time limit once a family becomes housed. Youth vouchers are limited to 36 months and require youths to receive supportive services for the entirety of the three years. Supportive services include money management, job preparation, educational counseling, and proper nutrition and meal preparation.

The U.S. Department of Urban Housing and Development awarded $10 million for 600 vouchers to 13 different housing authorities across the country. Sonoma County was awarded the second-highest dollar amount and the third most vouchers among the awarded housing authorities. 

For more information on the Family Unification Program visit the Department of Housing and Urban Development webpage. 

For more information on vouchers visit the Sonoma County Housing Authority webpage. 

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