Sonoma County opens emergency homeless housing site on its campus

Sonoma County’s new managed homeless camp began accepting its first residents Tuesday as officials prepare to clear a growing encampment on the Joe Rodota Trail in west Santa Rosa.

About 15 homeless individuals were expected to settle into the new site in the parking lot of the county’s planning and permitting department in north Santa Rosa by the end of the day Tuesday, said Gilbert Martinez, a county spokesperson.

About 70 to 100 individuals are expected to move in by the end of the week as the county presses forward with clearing the trail on Thursday.

There were 90 tents counted on the trail Monday, Gilbert said.

“This is not the answer to homelessness, but it’s the beginning of the answer for some of these people,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, board chair, who championed the shelter’s creation.

The Board of Supervisors approved the new camp and declared a shelter crisis in February in an effort to clear the Joe Rodota Trail encampment, which has become an increasing concern for nearby residents and recreational users.

The board also allocated $3 million in initial funding for the project from sources including American Rescue Plan Act and MediCal Reimbursement funds.

The new site features 87 tents equipped with cots, fencing, a food station, restrooms with shower facilities, as well as support services including behavioral and physical health care, housing assistance and job training access.

It is the first managed outdoor housing site for the homeless sanctioned by the county, which until now has used other options, including tiny homes, converted motels and single-family homes, to expand its transitional housing supply for homeless people.

“This is a place where people can get warm, dry, they can get fed, they can get services that they need,” Coursey said.

Homeless individuals must pass a screening to receive a placement at the new site. Those convicted of violent or sexual offenses will not be placed at the site, Martinez said.

The new site has also faced vehement opposition from nearby residents who are worried about neighborhood impacts, including safety, and are frustrated with the county’s communication regarding the plans.

People camping on the Joe Rodota Trail were notified Monday that they had until Thursday morning to leave, Martinez said. By law the county has to offer people shelter before moving them from an encampment.

Gilbert said people are not obligated to accept shelter at the new site.

Coursey has stressed the need for the county to break the cycle of clearing encampments on the Joe Rodota Trail only for another encampment to appear weeks or months later.

“I have made myself very clear that we need to step up enforcement on the trail,” said Coursey.

Part of that conversation will come up during the discussion of the board’s anticipated camping ordinance in April, Coursey said.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MurphReports.