Homelessness in Sonoma County

At this moment there are approximately 3000 unhoused people living in Sonoma County, 72% of whom are unsheltered. The unhoused of our county include adults and children, veterans, and people of all genders, races, and ethnicities. Women represent 35% of the county’s unhoused population. This winter’s atmospheric rivers have highlighted the urgent need for safe shelter and services to meet the needs of unhoused people and those of us at risk of homelessness.

Women and families struggling to afford Sonoma County often fall into homelessness after a traumatic life event such as loss of a job or loved one who brought in income. The inability to afford rent is one of the leading causes of becoming or remaining homeless, although there are many causes. 

The COVID-19 pandemic starting in March of 2020 forced homelessness service providers to adapt to maximum safety while minimizing disruption in services. According to an article in the Press Democrat in September, 2022, “Our most vulnerable population is the chronically homeless and the fact that number went up from 2020 is an alarming number,” said Jennielynn Holmes, CEO of Catholic Charities of Sonoma County, one of the county’s primary homeless services providers.

“The increase came during a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and a 550% increase in homelessness spending by Sonoma County and the city of Santa Rosa, the two largest local governments. Together, they spent an unprecedented $44 million on housing homeless people at pandemic shelter sites through the first 15 months of the pandemic.“

Many housing-insecure women who sought assistance from The Living Room in Santa Rosa were previously in a situation in which they lived with an abuser. According to a study by the University of California Davis, domestic violence against women increased significantly during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, approximately 65%-75% of women coming to The Living Room had experienced some form of abuse, most frequently trafficking and domestic violence. Since the pandemic began, this has jumped to 95% to 98%.

According to its website, “The Continuum of Care (CoC) is Sonoma County's collaborative effort representing the homeless services system of care. Governed by a seventeen-member Continuum of Care Board, the countywide effort is responsible for oversight of funds designated to the Continuum of Care and planning/policy development for addressing homelessness. The Board consists of local elected officials, nonprofit representatives, subject matter experts, and individuals with lived homeless experience. The Community Development Commission serves as the Lead Agency of CoC.

The Goal of the CoC is to achieve Functional Zero homelessness in Sonoma County using a Housing First model. The system of care program is designed to accomplish the following.

• Promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness

• Provide funding for efforts to quickly re-house individuals and families who are homeless, which minimizes the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness

• Promote access to and effective use of mainstream programs

• Optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness

For more information, visit the HUD-mandated Continuum of Care Program.”