For the homeless, temporary shelter can help speed the transition to stability

Anna Pier | Sonoma Sun 

Homeless Action Sonoma (HAS) is determined that Sonoma’s Valley’s homeless will have shelter this coming winter. The year-old nonprofit has an accepted offer to purchase a property in the Valley where it could provide winter shelter for local unhoused. 

The 501.c.3 has opened escrow on the purchase of a 27k sq. ft. lot at 18820 Hwy.12 in the Springs (above). The plan is for people to be sheltered in little homes, with a bathroom trailer. There is water, sewer and electricity at the property, according to HAS Executive Director Annie Falandes.

The long-term plan is to construct a facility where unhoused people can be sheltered, offered vocational training opportunities, and professional support to transition to a market rate economy. The plan is a proven one, she said, based on the highly successful Homeward Bound of Marin in Novato, where for over 20 years homeless people have been supported and received vocational training.

The success rate is impressive: over 80% of the homeless who take advantage of the program transition to market rate housing. HAS plans to offer homeless variety of support services, including counseling, adult mentoring, and vocational training in the wine and hospitality industry. Local architect Sean Rodriguez will design the facility. 

Falandes said HAS has successfully piloted support systems this past year. Five therapists are working pro bono with unhoused clients, and six volunteers serve as mentors in an adult-to-adult relationship that HAS calls “befriending.” Mentors can fill in the steps by helping to make appointments and ensuring follow-through for the recommendations of a social worker or counselor. 

The HAS mission affirms that homelessness must be eliminated for the benefit of the entire Community; education is the primary initial step to bring the community together. “The homeless are afraid and mistrusting of the housed; the housed are afraid and mistrusting of the homeless. Through education, we are bringing these two communities together.”

Fundraising efforts have been launched, with the initial goal to raise $25,000 starting with a yard art sale run by members of the unhoused community, June 12-13, at 20018 St. Germain Lane, Sonoma. For more information or to help, call 707-304-0502.

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