EMERGENCY SHELTER
EMERGENCY SHELTER NEWS
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on February 21, 2023, declared a shelter crisis in the county at a special emergency meeting.
The emergency declaration will allow the county to close portions of the Joe Rodota Trail in the city of Santa Rosa and to use funds for two managed encampments on county property.
County staff identified two potential locations that could be used for temporary housing structures and recreational vehicles.
The Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building parking lot is one potential site under consideration.
However, most users of the Vet’s building and the surrounding neighborhood do not want the newly managed encampment erected on the Vet’s building property and requested the County find a different site.
Overall the community at large was outraged over the county’s failure to notify stakeholders or consider the impact the managed encampment will have on thousands of lives.
NEWS STORIES
- Sonoma County Press Releases
- 02-20-2023 - Santa Rosa Vets Building, Sonoma County government campus eyed for managed homeless camps to clear Joe Rodota Trail - The Press Democrat
- 02-20-2023 - New homeless emergency shelter location proposed for Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building - Sonoma County Veterans Buildings Blog
- 02-21-2023 - Recommended Resolutions to Board of Supervisors
- 02-21-2023 - Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting
- 02-21-2023 - Press Release - Board of Supervisors approves comprehensive plan to clear Joe Rodota Trail and create up to two safe sleeping areas for homeless
- 02-21-2023 - Sonoma County moves forward with managed homeless camps on county sites in Santa Rosa - The Press Democrat
- 02-21-2023 - County declares 'shelter crisis' - commits $3 million to emergency housing - Sonoma Valley Sun
- 02-21-2023 - Shelter Crisis Declared In Sonoma County - Patch
- 02-21-2023 - Shelter Crisis Declared as Supes Are Implored Not To Establish New Site At Veterans Building - SF Gate
- 02-22-2023 - Sonoma County board of supervisors acknowledges rush and lack of transparency with proposed emergency homeless shelter at vet's building - Sonoma County Veterans Buildings Blog
- 02-23-2023 - Press Release - Sonoma County to host two meetings to solicit public input on emergency housing sites for unsheltered people
- 02-22-2023 - Sonoma County Approves Plan to Clear Joe Rodota Trail, Create Safe Sleeping Areas for Homeless - Northbay Biz
- 02-23-2023 - Sonoma County Seeks Public Input On Emergency Housing - Patch
- 02-24-2023 - Community Meeting on Emergency Housing Sites - County Campus site - YouTube
- 2023-02-27 - Community Meeting on Emergency Housing Site - Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building - YouTube
TIME-LINE OF EVENTS
February 16, 2023 – Sonoma County Board of Supervisors holds a confidential meeting.
February 17, 2023 – Sonoma County Board of Supervisors decides to hold a special emergency meeting on 2/21/23. Most stakeholders are not informed.
February 20, 2023 – The Press Democrat releases a story that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is poised to consider establishing managed camps at two county-owned sites.
February 21, 2023
- Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Special Meeting held.
- Emergency Homeless Shelter Resolutions pass.
- Supervisors declared a shelter crisis in the county.
- The county will assess additional sites for managed encampments.
- Announcement of upcoming town hall meetings.
- Press Release: “Board of Supervisors approves comprehensive plan to clear Joe Rodota Trail and create up to two safe sleeping areas for homeless.”
February 22, 2023
- Supervisor Chris Coursey posts For Immediate Release about the approved comprehensive plan to clear Joe Rodota Trail and create up to two emergency housing sites on his Facebook Page.
February 23, 2023
- Press Release: Sonoma County to host two meetings to solicit public input on emergency housing sites for unsheltered people.
- Supervisor Chris Coursey posts Community Webinars information (2/24/23 & 2/27/23) on his Facebook Page.
February 24, 2023 – Board of Supervisors Community Meeting on Emergency Housing Sites – County Campus site via Zoom and social media.
February 27, 2023 – County hosts a community meeting from 5 PM to 6:30 PM. The discussion focus is on the consideration of the Santa Rosa Memorial Building as an emergency housing site.