Homeless News

A government-sanctioned homeless encampment has been established near the local courthouse in Sonoma County, which is renowned for its wine regions. There are blue tents lined all over the parking lot to enable 100 homeless individuals to stay. The taxpayer-funded homeless camp was approved by the leaders in Sonoma County after the declaration of the shelter crisis. Numerous offices are a vital part of the administrative complex such as Sonoma County Human Resources, the county registrar, the Superior Court of California, and the district attorney’s office.

An emergency shelter site on the government campus was also approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors in March due to the rising homeless concerns along Joe Rodota Trail. Previously, the old train rail line was a walking and bike path and now is a homeless encampment.

Individuals with convictions for violent or sexual offenses are not allowed to reside on the premises of the homeless encampment. Furthermore, the use of drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited at the site.

At present, 78 people are living in the encampment including the six people who have jobs. Fortunately, many homeless individuals have been sheltered and comprehensive services are also provided to them. Still, there are many folks unable to find housing for years. Each needs individual solutions to house them along with behavioral health care, substance use disorder care, and ways to increase their incomes.

The county is planning to move the camp and make it smaller and different. The American Rescue Plan Act provided $3 Million in funds to continue the county-backed encampment and fund assets for shelters.

The next funding for housing the individuals at the emergency shelter site will be a combination of federal, state, and local funds. With 171,000 unhoused people, California has the largest homeless population in the nation.