FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HOMELESSNESS

As of September 1, 2009, funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ARRA), under Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Recovery Program (HPRP), is now available to assist Sonoma County citizens who may be about to become homeless, or are currently homeless as a result of the current economy.

Catholic Charities' Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) - called Housing Help Sonoma County - opens today, September 1.

This program provides limited financial assistance to qualifying households who would otherwise be homeless but for this help. Forms of assistance may include security deposit, rent arrears, utility arrears, rent subsidy, legal aid or moving cost assistance.  Funds may NOT be used to make mortgage payments. Other restrictions apply.

For more information, including guidelines for determining client eligibility and step-by-step application instructions, please go to Catholic Charities' website.

What is the definition of homeless?

How many homeless people are in Sonoma County?

What resources are available to help homeless people in Sonoma County?

What does the phrase Continuum of Care mean?

What programs do the Commission fund that provide assistance to homeless people?

What is the definition of homeless?
HUD defines homeless as persons who are:

• Sleeping in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, and abandoned buildings.
• Sleeping in emergency shelters.
• Living in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons but who originally came from streets or emergency shelters.
  This includes persons who ordinarily sleep in one of the above places but are spending a short time (30 consecutive days or less) in a hospital or other institution.
• Being evicted within the week from private dwelling units and no subsequent residences have been identified and they lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing.
• Being discharged within the week from institutions in which they have been residents for more than 30 consecutive days and no subsequent residences have been identified and they lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain access to housing.

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How many homeless people are in Sonoma County?
Applied Survey Research completed a count of Sonoma County's homeless population in January 2009. The 2009 Homeless Count found 3,247 people in Sonoma County that meet HUD's definition of homelessness.

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What resources are available to help homeless people in Sonoma County?
The Sonoma County Taskforce for the Homeless publishes the Homeless Resource Guide listing many governmental agencies, housing authorities and non-profit organizations that provide housing and supportive services to homeless people throughout Sonoma County. In addition, the Sonoma County Human Service Department maintains a searchable information and referral database of local service agencies.

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What does the phrase Continuum of Care mean?
HUD defines the Continuum of Care as:
A community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homeless and prevent a return to homelessness.

Sonoma County’s Continuum of Care is comprised of a broad coalition of nonprofits, public agencies, business organizations and private individuals working together to combat homelessness.

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What programs do the Commission fund that provide assistance to homeless people?
Russell Avenue Shelter
Owned and funded by the County of Sonoma, the Russell Avenue shelter provides 30 beds in northeast Santa Rosa for individuals and families who are required to save a portion of their income. It is managed by Catholic Charities .

Sam Jones Hall
Jointly funded by the City of Santa Rosa and the County of Sonoma, Sam Jones Hall is an 80-bed homeless shelter in southwest Santa Rosa with transportation to and from downtown Santa Rosa. Clients must register at the Homeless Service Center. Sam Jones Hall is owned by the City of Santa Rosa and managed by Catholic Charities .

Funding Local Public Service Agencies

The Sonoma County Community Development Commission provides Federal Emergency Shelter Grant (FESG) funds through HUD to local public service agencies serving homeless needs.

In addition, the Sonoma County Community Development Commission provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through HUD to an average of 10-15 local non-profit homeless service providers per year.

For information on the funding process, please contact the Sonoma County Community Development Commission at (707) 565-7524.

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