The City’s Homeless Encampment Assistance Process (HEAP) focused efforts on Thursday, July 9 to address encampments located in the Corporate Center Parkway area. This follows prior actions by the City to address illegal dumping into storm drains, vehicle code violations and criminal activity as well as connecting individuals within these encampments with support and services. Despite on-going efforts, the hazards occurring within the encampments amid the COVID-19 emergency have reached a tipping point, prompting the City to activate the HEAP protocols to address immediate health, environmental, and safety issues.

The process went smoothly and there was success in connecting a number of individuals experiencing homelessness within the encampment area to offered services. Of the individuals that the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) contacted, 9 individuals initially accepted services at the City’s Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter or the Safe Social Distancing Program in the parking lot of Finley Community Center. HOST is currently working to place these individuals into these City-operated programs.

During the cleanup, the Police Department made arrests for warrants and facilitated the towing of RVs/vehicles for vehicle code violations. No arrests were made for unlawful camping. The City’s Public Works crews removed more than 104 yards of debris, including paint, oil, and tires. The City will continue to monitor encampments in this area providing outreach, engagement, and enforcement consistent with HEAP protocols. 

Following this week’s efforts in the Corporate Center Parkway area, the City will return its focus to encampments in downtown Santa Rosa, including Fremont Park. More information will be provided soon. For additional information on the City’s response to homelessness amid the public health emergency, visit SRCity.org/COVID19HomelessSupport.