For most people, the holidays mean time with family and celebrating traditions in the warmth of home. This is the time when heaters get cranked, fireplaces lit, and lights hung. Children learn the value of giving and delight in the experience of receiving. There is no better place to be than the Sonoma Valley with the gorgeous lights at the Plaza, holiday giving programs, and local shopping opportunities. The Sonoma Valley is a village of wonderfully talented and caring people.
Sonoma is often listed in national publications as the one of the “best” or “most romantic” or “friendliest” places to visit. It’s a wonderful place to call home and equally hard to leave.
But we have a problem. It is largely invisible, but it does exist. And it needs our collective attention.
You might be surprised to learn that we have a significant homeless population that hides from view and often lives outside near creeks, under bushes in the hills, in abandoned buildings, and in vehicles. You might be equally surprised to learn that most of this population grew up in Sonoma, attending school, making lifelong friends, forming familial ties, and so they choose to stay in Sonoma despite the challenges. They stay because this is their emotional home, even in the absence of an actual home and because they are part of this community. You may wonder why they hide and why we do not have a panhandling problem or see them sleeping on our streets; but according to Catherine Barber, the Executive Director of the Haven Shelter, our homeless folks love the Plaza and are protective of its pristine beauty. They do not want panhandling or despoilment; they also do not want to see their fourth grade teacher or a school mate while asking for handouts. They just want to be here, quietly.
It is true that oftentimes the homeless have secondary issues, such as substance abuse and traumatic histories, but they are also mothers with children, farm workers with jobs, your friend from high school. Not every one is adept at bouncing back from hardships, not everyone can succeed in this economy. There is no trapdoor for humanity, and we cannot shove members of our community out of their emotional homes because we are uncomfortable or unwilling to embrace the challenge of helping them. We have the opportunity to lift them up. Sonoma is the home to 134 non-profits and a collective heart that is unparalleled anywhere. We can do this together.
It’s possible to deny the existence of the homeless in Sonoma because unlike in bigger cities, we do not see them. Why not? There are a couple of reasons, but the biggest factor is because the people of organizations such as Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH), Brown Baggers, and Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS) work extremely hard to keep this population warm, fed, and sheltered when possible. These community members are tireless individuals and some, like Elizabeth Kemp, work within several organizations. Despite their incredible efforts, many people are still unsheltered because there simply are not enough beds. Adding to the problem is the severe lack of affordable housing in Sonoma Valley.
While there are bright spots on the horizon, such as the proposed Sonoma Springs 100-unit affordable housing development, the need is far greater and the solutions complex. We must do more.
Being a Supervisor means I am constantly learning and using that knowledge to improve the lives of those in the First District. Many of the homeless service providers center in Santa Rosa, where the need is greatest. But it is imperative I represent all constituents, and this includes those who do not have a house, but call this Valley home. I am collaborating and communicating with local service groups, and, at the same time, urging to County to extend more services to the Sonoma Valley. I am grateful for the people who work so hard to help with the issue of homelessness here in the Valley and throughout the County. Their willingness to tackle this complex issue propels me to work harder and do better. I am here to learn and work with you on this issue in the Valley.
Who are the homeless in Sonoma?
According to Jenny Abramson, Homeless & Community Services Manager for the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, there are two main populations: white. chronically homeless persons (~86 percemy); and migrant families with children, often living in cars or abandoned buildings and a number of migrant worker adults who are camping (14 percent). Nearly two-thirds reported significant health issues that indicate they should be housed as soon as possible for their health needs. Fully 30 percent were under the age of 25 years.
In 2013, 203 homeless persons were counted throughout the Sonoma Valley: 25 within the Sonoma City limits and the rest (178) in the unincorporated areas. Five encampments were found, most located within the creeks and one in the hills about the city. Seventy-five vehicles were found with people living in them; four within city limits. Thirty people were identified in abandoned buildings, mostly in the Springs area.
Where did these numbers come from?
The homeless population in Sonoma County has been counted every two years since 2005, but beginning this year, the count will take place yearly in order to provide appropriate services that address current needs in a changing landscape with regard to housing and employment. The next Point-in-Time Homeless Count is coming up on January 23, 2015. To volunteer for the count, please visit http://sonoma-county-homelesscount.wikispaces.com/. Registration will open shortly.
Current services in the Sonoma Valley
Sonoma Overnight Support (SOS): The mission of SOS is “help the homeless and hungry in Sonoma Valley.” SOS operates The Haven Shelter, a 10-bed home that has been in operation since 2007. They also offer drop in services, such as laundry, showers and meal service. They are currently raising funds for a dedicated shelter for women and children. To find out more, please visit: sonomaovernightsupport.org/
Friends in Sonoma Helping (FISH): FISH provides emergency help to residents experiencing financial hardships in Sonoma at no charge. FISH offers immediate emergency assistance to prevent families from becoming homeless or going hungry. To learn more, please visit: friendsinsonomahelping.org/home.html
Severe Weather Shelter System: For the second year in a row, FISH and SOS have teamed up to operate the Severe Weather Shelter System. The service is triggered when forecasts say overnight temperatures will be dropping below 32 degrees or below 40 degrees when raining. As of yet, the trigger point has been met only once this season, but they anticipate many more cold and rainy nights ahead. According to Executive Director Sandy Piotter, approximately 40 volunteers are ready to transport homeless clients to warm shelters in local churches. To volunteer or donate, please visit: sonomaovernightsupport.org/#!severe-weather-shelter/c1xup
Brown Baggers: Led by Elizabeth Kemp, the Brown Baggers offers free meals at the “Brown Bag Cafe” at The Sonoma Valley Grange on Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and La Luz in Boyes Hot Springs on Fridays, 4-6 p.m.
County actions
One of my goals as Supervisor is to bring more services to the Sonoma Valley. Traversing the roads between here and Santa Rosa is often difficult for those in need, and for the homeless, it is nearly impossible because of a lack of vehicles or the cost of gasoline. I am dedicated to raising awareness within the County about the need in Sonoma. One program I fully support is the Safe Parking Program that began last year and experienced great success when piloted at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. In April 2014, the Board of Supervisors approved replacement of the cold-weather, centralized fairgrounds site with a year-round, scattered-site model of program operation. This model, which is used in other localities nationwide, utilizes voluntarily offered private and publicly owned properties as safe parking zones.
The Scattered Site Safe Parking Funding Agreement between the Community Development Commission (CDC) and Catholic Charities requires Catholic Charities to reach out to neighbors of any property being considered for safe parking use to provide them with adequate notice and information about the program’s operation, including who to contact in case of any problems. All sites must have sanitary facilities; heating facilities as needed for cold weather, and satisfactory monitoring protocols to ensure safety of the program participants and area residents.
The demand exceeds the current capacity as Catholic Charities reports a waiting list of 71 households seeking safe parking program enrollment. In the Sonoma Valley, current demand is modest: 10 parking spots. For participants, data demonstrates that safe parking enrollment is often the first contact a homeless household has with homeless service providers and thus, an important gateway to services.
I am supporting a pilot program here in the Sonoma Valley and working with Catholic Charities, the CDC, and local city officials to locate an appropriate parking spot and facilitate a program that will operate in the winter months. The need is immediate and we must work collaboratively to ensure this program is launched soon. The Board of Supervisors’ Facilities Ad Hoc Committee is reviewing County-owned facilities for potential reuse as homeless support centers, transitional housing and housing for homeless veterans. And the Board has expressed interest in identifying even more parcels of land appropriate for rezoning to higher-densities for potential affordable housing projects in the Valley and the rest of the County.
Imagine yourself huddling with your child in an unheated vehicle, trying to find food and shelter out of the cold and damp. In this season of caring, and with yet another very wet winter storm approaching, let us all do what we can to help those in need.
Correction from November’s Column: I misidentified the designer of the El Verano Mural as Thena Trygstad when it was the talented and also amazing Gayle Manfre. My apologies to Gayle.
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