Healthy and Safe Communities

Summary of objective implementation status 

Funding was set aside or allocated in County and Continuum of Care (CoC) Homelessness Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant funding for new permanent supportive housing (PSH) in 2024, including $300,000 in CoC HHAP for Dry Creek Rancheria PSH (tribal PSH), and up to $3 million for support of future PSH developments in County HHAP.  Additional CoC HHAP funding went to support and enhance existing PSH with Catholic Charities, Community Support Network, COTS, and West County Community Services.  Additionally, federal Continuum of Care funding overseen by DHS Ending Homelessness Team added over $300,000 in annual ongoing funding for supportive services at Elderberry Commons with West County Community Services.

Key milestone update 

See above – addition of close to $1 million in new funding for PSH operations and support.  Development of PSH is dependent on State Homekey funds.  In December 2024, funds will be released for Project Homekey + which will provide the County and jurisdictions with a new opportunity for development of PSH.  The Ending Homelessness Team also consults monthly with the Community Development Commission, including on potential affordable housing projects being funded under the purview of the CDC.

Coordination and partnership update

Primary partnership and coordination are with the Lead Agency (DHS) and the Continuum of Care (Sonoma County Homeless Coalition).  The Homeless Coalition approves all funding and reviews staff recommendations on annual NOFAs/NOFOs.  Additionally, the Lead Agency works with All Home, a Bay Area technical assistance provider, on strategic allocation of resources (All Home provides pro bono technical assistance).  This includes continued development of a Long-Term Investment Plan for Permanent Supportive Housing.

Community, equity, and climate update

Equity goals are built into review and evaluation of all permanent supportive housing projects.  The Lead Agency now hosts a Racial Equity Committee, comprised of individuals form the BIPOC community in the homelessness services sector (and including individuals with lived experience of homelessness).  Racial equity is also a rating factor for PSH in both the federal Continuum of Care Competition and Local Homelessness Services annual Notice of Funding Availability. 

Objective funding

This did not receive Strategic Plan funding.