Nominated Uses of HEAP Funds in Sonoma County

November 1, 2018

The figures below represent my best guesses as to what might be necessary to fund the projects that have been talked about by the public and private entities competing for HEAP funding.  We are a long way from actual budget amounts, but I thought that t was important to start to put some ballpark amounts into the categories of expense that the state will allow.

The five elected members of the Homeless System of Care Leadership Council will meet on Thursday, Nov 8th, and chose 25 members for the Technical Advisory Committee from the 70 applicants.  The chosen Technical Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, November 13th to review FY 2019-20 Homeless Services Funding Policies, and to select their four representatives on the Leadership Council.  On Saturday, December 1st, the Homeless System of Care Leadership Council will meet to adopt the 2019-20 Homeless Services Funding Policies.  

          Gregory Fearon

Eligible Uses of HEAP Funds (from California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council)

                                                                                                      Requested Services:

Street Outreach

Health and Safety Education

Criminal Justice Diversion Programs

Homeless Prevention Activities
    RV Park (HA!, Seb)                                                                                   
    Safe Parking (HA!)                                                                                  

Other Service Activities
Rental Assistance or Subsidies:

Housing Voucher (SR)

Rapid Re-Housing Programs (GB)

Flexible Housing Subsidy Funds (HA!)                                                              400,000.00

Eviction Prevention Strategies (SR)

Capital Improvements:

Emergency Shelter

Navigation Centers

Transitional Housing (CC, SR)                                                                         2,000,000.00

Permanent Supportive Housing (CSN, CC)                                                      3,000,000.00

Small/Tiny Houses (HA!)                                                                                    500,000.00                 

Improvements to current structures (SR)                                                             300,000,00

Youth:  (17%)                                                                                                  2,058,919.47
?
Administrative Costs:   (5%)                                                                           604, 565.55
HMIS (SR, CO)
Coordinated Entry (SR,CO)

Other:
Hand-washing Stations (HA!, SR)                                                                        50,000,00

Public Toilets (HA!, SR)                                                                                     200,000.00                       

Showers (HA!, SR)

Total Available                                                                                             $12.111.291.50
Total Requested                                                                                               9,113,485.02
Remaining Amount                                                                                         2,997,806.48
                                
CO = County
SR = Santa Rosa
Pet - Petaluma
Seb = Sebastopol
HA! = Homeless Action
CC = Catholic Charities
GB = Gale Brownell

Low Income Housing Institute Executive Director Sharon Lee in SR

Sharon Lee

Executive Director

Low Income Housing Institute 

Saturday, Nov. 3rd

5:30-7:00 pm

Santa Rosa City Council Chambers

100 Santa Rosa Ave

Recent Homeless Housing News Articles

Greetings!

Here are some links to news articles about homeless housing ideas:


Ige Releases $17.3 Million For ‘Ohana Zones’ On Oahu And Big Island
Editorial: Ambitious homeless project shows promise
Hundreds Exit Homelessness in Richmond Through Housing First Model
Five years in, advocates say Housing First model is effective, but not a perfect solution
State has $7.2 million to tackle homelessness in Stanislaus County
‘We have a homeless emergency.’ Fresno seeks state funds to address crisis
Council allocates $14M in state funds for homeless
City Council Approves Mayor's Allocation Plan for $14.1M in Emergency Homeless Funds
Requiring usage of support services may remedy underlying causes of homelessness
Nancy Baglietto: ‘Housing First’ — Taking a look the issues facing the homeless
Homeless advocates support City Council’s declaration on homeless issue
Council Approves Plan to Address Wisconsin Homelessness
State council's first plan to combat homelessness stresses Housing First
Project underway in Lane County to keep ex-criminals housed, crime-free
The Housing First strategy: Working to end homelessness for vulnerable populations
Oklahoma Council Developing Plan to Address Homelessness
Marin Voice: Chronically homeless are benefiting from ‘Housing First’
Funds sought for 82-unit housing complex
How Many Shelter Beds Are Enough?
Homeless for the holidays | Winter means fewer options for those seeking shelter; region sees growing transient population
Brea will not Apply for Homeless Grant Did veteran homelessness decline about 50% from 2010 to 2018?
Ending vet homelessness
Mendocino County supervisors hear about possible solutions for homelessness
Paso Robles expands parking permit program
Redlands declares shelter crisis, paving way for possible state homeless funds
Homeless veteran gets second chance with housing-first program
Community Impact Community Champion: Developer tackles housing crisis
With our goal of ending homelessness in Miami, challenges remain despite the successes
San Bernardino declares shelter crisis, but will continue enforcing homeless regulations
San Francisco Just Passed the Largest Tax Increase in City History. It's Anybody's Guess if It's Legal.
Portland Election Results: Housing First, Fear-Mongering Last
Hartman Homes Wins Coveted Reggie Award from BATC-Housing First Minnesota
COLUMN: Homelessness doesn't mean hopelessness
Housing First projects and supported housing must work side-by-side
HUD, VA Announce Decline in Veterans Homelessness
Report: Veteran homelessness drops in Lake County by 47 percent, 5 percent across state
County safe parking program could get extension into 2019
Contra Costa County calls for cities to declare a homeless crisis
LA County Declares Shelter Crisis to Qualify for State Homeless Aid
L.A. County declares a shelter crisis, providing flexibility in how it provides beds and assistance
With 86 percent of homeless residents unsheltered, LA County declares crisis
Best intentions busted: Area lacks connected resources for the homeless
Housing first part of action plan to deal with homelessness in Saskatoon
Forum Thursday on transitional housing at Corvallis Library
complex offers independence, fulfillment
Transition House shelter reopens in Cobourg
Springfield agency prepares shelters for winter
Island Voices: Affordable housing is a human right
Redlands declares shelter crisis, paving way for possible state homeless funds
Hudson Yards’s first affordable housing lottery offers apartments from $858/month
Charity “sleep-out” under the stars in Dundee for first time – in bid to eradicate homelessness
First look: L-shaped housing pitched for Morristown train station
Advocacy group pushes for more housing supports for ‘vulnerable’ seniors
A guide to below-market-rate housing in San Francisco
Maine Voices: Affordable housing saves lives and saves the community money
Thinking Inside the Big Box—Innovative Concepts to Combat the Homeless Crisis
More than 50 long-term homeless people have been given new homes in Glasgow
Alumna's Tiny Houses Help Solve Huge Problem
Seattle homelessness spending tops $90 million
In Newfield, N.Y., one kind heart was enough to launch a rescue community.
Tiny homes multiply amid big issues as communities tackle homelessness
Updated: LA county voters approve Measure H—here’s how higher taxes will help the homeless
L.A. County declares a shelter crisis, providing flexibility in how it provides beds and assistance

City, Community Leaders Address Issue of Homelessness
Contra Costa County calls for cities to declare a homeless crisis
County Safe Parking Program Could Get Extension into 2019 
The East Oakland Collective
Four Bay Area Homeless Outreach Groups That Are Changing Lives
Tiny Home News 
Housing Program Stymied: Effort to help the chronically homeless finds lack of available units, making landlords less willing to participate
Maine Voices: Affordable housing saves lives and saves the community money
These 3D-printed homes can be built for less than $4,000 in just 24 hours
Tiny Housing for Homeless Proposed in Vacaville Salvation Army opens transitional housing for homeless vets
How Silicon Valley's housing boom is creating a homeless crisis
For Ex-Homeless, Housing That's More Than Shelter
Utah Provides Housing For Homeless
Architects rethinking design of housing for formerly homeless residents
Tiny Homes Help With Growing Homeless Population
Housing the Homeless | Ep. 2 | Now What
The Housing First approach to homelessness
San Diego Housing Homeless To Change Lives, Tent-Covered Landscapes
Recycled shipping containers being reworked into housing for homeless

Stephen Center eager to open new homeless shelter, housing

For LA’s homeless, housing could be cure for chronic illness

Yuba County's "14Forward" Temporary Housing for the Homeless

Vancouver re-purposes shipping containers for homeless housing

New Housing For The Homeless Opens In Denver

First High-Rise Homeless Housing For L.A.'s Skid Row

Tempers flare over homeless housing project

Downtown San Jose welcomes first homeless housing project

Props in a Minute: Prop 2 - Housing for Homeless

Homeless Students Struggle To Find Housing in San Francisco Without Support

Houston reaches milestone in homeless housing

New permanent housing complex near Colfax now home for Denver homeless

Sustaining California: Homelessness and Housing

Hundreds Rally Over Proposed Homeless Shelter In Koreatown

New apartments devoted to housing the homeless

Surrey homeless modular housing impacts neighbourhood

Travel Show Host Invests Retirement Savings In Housing Homeless

First of its type homeless housing resource going up at Springs Rescue Mission

45Ft HQ Container Refugee Homeless Senior housing

Shelters For Homeless Families Shut Out From Federal Housing First Funding

Tiny homes offer innovative solution to homelessness in Seattle

Tiny housing for the homeless?

Atlanta Homeless Worry As City Closes Shelter

$3,587 to Shelter Homeless Family in 1 Room

Modesto considers shipping containers for emergency homeless housing

Improved version of my Homeless Emergency Shelter

Shelters For Homeless Families Shut Out From Federal Housing First Funding

California considers bill to speed new housing for the homeless

Andrew: Homelessness and mental health

This LA Musician Built $1,200 Tiny Houses for the Homeless. Then the City Seized Them

Two Businessmen Announce Plan For Housing San Diego's Homeless

Homeless, low income families get low rent at new affordable housing unit

Housing the Homeless and Local Housing Allowance

Homeless Tent Camps in Dallas and Churches Using Housing First, Tiny Homes, and Art to Help People

NY Hotel Housing 100 Homeless

20 sheds made available for homeless housing in Oakland

'Housing-First' Debate May Cost San Diego Homeless Programs Federal Funding

Tiny houses to shelter homeless veterans

Project would turn shipping containers into homeless housing

Salem's Homeless Rental Assistance program marks first year with setbacks, successes

Housing First could well be a quiet success

Builders slump as housing market shifts to the slow lane

Coachella Valley approach to solving homelessness has proven results so far

Housing program stymied

Homes For All: What Works?

Two weeks to the day after the complete destruction of the homeless gathering of RVs, cars, and tents at the Challenger Way industrial area, several community organizations are calling on those interested in sharing and learning more about homeless housing to attend "Homes For All: What Works?", which will be held on Friday afternoon (12:30pm to 5pm) at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa.  Organized to explore together the ideas which are spreading throughout the country, and which could be funded by new state funds expected this fall, the afternoon will feature short (max 10-minute) presentations describing housing models in use and being developed.

Now is the time for effective research and examination of what works in the pursuit of homes for all.  Please come and explore this with all of us.

Where Do We Go?

Yes, everything Scott says. I went around the camp at 7:30 yesterday morning, as I've been doing for over two weeks, taking a census of RVs, Trailers, Tents and Vehicles. Everything was quiet with a few people about their sites. Around 9am, I read a text that there were police at the camp and I struggled with wanting to go back over, but I went. I parked near the intersection of Challenger and Capricorn, facing south, and took out my phone camera because I saw Creams Towing, officers, Hazmat, a Fire Engine, an ambulance and distraught people along the block that goes to Corporate Center. 

Far from me and nearer to Corporate Center I could see a man being arrested...perhaps the one Scott mentions above. I couldn't see around to what was happening on Apollo. There were several officers and a HOST person near Shelley's space talking in a bantering sort of way...I couldn't hear their words, just their easy tones. Then they dragged 2 tents and their contents across the street, crumpling the tent. The assumed residents of the tents huddled quietly and shivered standing on the grass on the other side of the street...a place of mixed messages as they formerly have been threatened with citations for trespassing on this same private property. I took video of the tent dragging and trailer towing. Then I left, thinking the worst was over, as the fire engine, ambulance, and police car with the arrestee had gone. I did not speak with anyone. 

Later, I was working on a video project for the Home for All conference, and we needed some video of neighborhoods and homeless living areas. Around noon we drove around town and ended up at the Corporate Center area. As we drove through, everything had changed from my morning census drive. The place was almost bare. From 26 counted tents at 7:30am to Zero (functional zero?) at noon...the place was decimated without a trace. I can not imagine, in that short of a time, anyone having time to clear out fast enough to reasonably pack, transport and save their belongings. I missed a horrendous and devastating display of government in action. 

Later, that evening, around 7pm, I went back to help with statements and bring 2 extra sleeping bags someone had passed on to me to pass on. I was late and only able to work with 2 people for statements. I also listened to others who had made statements. Everyone was shocked. Today, it reminds me of a technique abusive parents use...well, this is a paternalistic society, right?...yell and threaten and say the same thing over and over, you better get out of here until one day the parent just cuts loose and whacks the hell out of their kids...That's exactly what our City did yesterday. They battered the weakest ones. 

The people I talked with said it clearly...“They just came through brutally today. They kept coming by asking us how long it was going to take for us to pack our stuff. They cleared the street with a bulldozer. They’ve been coming by for weeks but never did anything. Today they just destroyed everything. We panicked and saved some stuff...we lost a lot, too. Where do you want us to go?”

It was getting dark and some of the stranded were standing without anything except what they wore. Someone showed up with pizza some comforters and blankets. We started calling around to find a place that sold small tents. I was finally able to locate 8 tents at Big 5 within 45 minutes of it closing. We argued about buying that many, and decided I could bring them back if we didn't use them. I went and purchased them at 30$ each...on my credit card. When I returned, another family had arrived with many more boxes of pizza that they passed around freely to anyone who needed some. People showed up from around and had somber conversations replaying the horror of the day. I was determined to save 2 of the tents for a couple of people on the farther side of the camp, but was unable to refuse anyone. I made sure the people I knew had nothing but their clothes got a tent...and then the tents were gone and the farther away were left unsheltered. There weren't enough. I am dissolved in sadness and filled with rage. I am ashamed to be even thinking that there is anything that works for homeless people here. I am grappling with the idea of a conference titled "Homes for All: What Works?"
This is my story this morning. Thank you, Scott, for sharing yours.
Kathryn

A Cold City September Response

On Friday, September 28, 2018, the city of Santa Rosa executed a surprise group eviction and whirlwind of destruction of about 20 trailers and RVs and 30 tents at Challenger Way. About a dozen police worked the streets with tow trucks, a flatbed, a hazmat truck, and a bulldozer. Activists were there in the aftermath until late in the night feeding the loose group of victims who had hovered and returned to what they had left. We gave out what tents and sleeping bags we could scramble for from local stores, gathering statements of the most gross violations of civil rights I have seen in Santa Rosa. I am shaken and teary still as i write this. Nothing in my experience since San Francisco mayor Frank Kennedy's trash trucks in 1992 compares to this.

Many lost everything. Vans, trailers, and RVs summarily towed away, whether the owner was there or not, whether someone saved worldly goods or not. The typical pattern for the tents was 1) 'you have an hour', 2) a return, then 'you have five minutes', 3) and then, 'that's it, go away or we'll arrest you', and what they couldn't drag and pull and carry away by then was seized and destroyed before their eyes, with a bulldozer, or by tossing it in a trash truck. HOST, the Catholic Charities team, came through just before the storm like they do, hiding the secret blitzkrieg of what was to come from everyone, in their endless catcall of 'c'mon, let's all go to Sam Jones shelter', a place they almost all avoid, some under pain of death. 

The first victim, who is particularly resented by police because he knows his rights, was stopped at 8:30 am just at the tail end of organizing his things, and was summarily arrested for refusal to comply (told to leave the day before), and taken away. They used his arrest as an excuse to seize and destroy thousands of dollars of worldly goods on three trailers, ready to go. 

Throughout the day, others were mostly not arrested, just shoo'ed away at pain of arrest while their personal belongings were destroyed before their eyes. Several rushed back when they heard what was happening, one from going to the bathroom, and were too late, losing everything. A 72 year old grandmother endured laughter when she returned: she had missed what we caught on video, as her tent was dragged across the street and destroyed; she came back to all her goods filthy and scattered on the street, with her brand new tent cut up and tossed. One couple was following orders to get out, had their stuff in neat piles, and lost everything they had while they were arranging a preliminary pile off site, despite leaving a friend to guard it all: laptops, all their clothes and coats and blankets, all their papers. I left them on the side of the road to gather other statements, and they disappeared as the sun set. Where did they go to, with nothing? Three elders who are very sick wandered off into the night, lost to us; they're so delicate that any of them could die in even modestly cold and windy weather like last night. Where on earth-?

Where are my friends now? Were the cops out in force in the night? Did they find blankets?

Are they alone out there?

A few, including a few nicer-looking RVs in a row, were left alone, as if Moses had parted the waters, we think because some individual cop decided to be nice, or because a positive interaction had occurred at some point with them- we don't know. Think about that: justice was only available with the casual, informal word of a twenty-something cop. The rest suffered at the hands of cops, the less busy ones standing around, casually talking and laughing.

Before some of the victims disappeared, we scrambled our team of activists to get statements, and got perhaps 17. We had three lawyers working furiously on site along with us. These arrogant and stupid officials and administrators have gone beyond the pale to blatant, fully evil attacks on the helpless, in the name of optics for the neighbors, in the name of the landlord of the government offices across the street, in the name of ghost stories about leaky RVs. 

We will descent on them on Tuesday at city council, at 5 PM. (The county isn't meeting this week) We will show them what we know about this vengeance done in our name. We will organize other actions. We will read our friend's statements to them, to the press, to the public, to federal and state and county judges, representatives, and administrators. These Santa Rosa officials and administration chose the day after the Commission on Human Rights publicized their condemnation of the city and county for neglecting housing for the unsheltered to do this. Ignoring the basic needs of the unsheltered wasn't enough for these evil troops. Keeping our friends from bathroom and trash services wasn't enough: they needed to punish our friends for being poor, and casually, wantonly violate their civil rights all day long, at every turn, because someone a little higher than them told them they could. 

Our friends are gone, as they always are at these scatterings. We get their phone numbers as we can, the phone numbers of relatives; we ask their friends where they are, where they're going. But we lose them to the winds, to the deadly trails, where they can be hounded more easily as individuals. We don't know when or if we will see them again.

On their way out, two ladies eerily told me the same thing separately, with the same vehemence, and almost the same wording: I hate cops now. I didn't feel this way before, but now I truly hate cops.

I'm deeply ashamed of my government today, ashamed that I have spoken with such delicacy and restraint with them.

Martin vs Boise