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1. What is the City doing to address the growing homeless problem in our community?

Addressing homelessness in Santa Rosa is a top priority of the City Council, supported by $4.9 million in funding in 2022/23, up from $1.5 million in 2015/16. Two interdepartmental teams – the Homeless Action Team (HAT) and the City’s Encampment Team – coordinate the City’s response. Representatives from Police, Fire, Housing and Community Services, Transportation & Public Works, Water, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, and the Communications & Intergovernmental Relations Department meet weekly and work together with community partners to provide outreach, emergency shelter, housing, and services to persons experiencing homelessness. The City also participates in Sonoma County’s Continuum of Care (CoC) program, a collaborative effort to ensure alignment with a broader regional strategy and leverage federal and state resources to end homelessness. In November 2022, the City adopted a five-year Strategic Plan to address the critical concern of homelessness in Santa Rosa. The Homelessness Solutions Strategic Plan provides key strategies and actions to improve the City’s response to homelessness in alignment with the regional system of care, the Sonoma County Continuum of Care, with the ambitious goal of achieving “Functional Zero” homelessness in Santa Rosa by 2027. More information about homeless services provided by the City is available on the City’s website under Programs and Initiatives.

2. If the City is investing more to address homelessness, why are we seeing more homeless people in our community?

The homeless count conducted as part of the 2022 Sonoma County Point-In-Time Count showed a 36-percent decrease in homelessness since 2011, from 4,539 individuals to 2,893 individuals, though the problem is more visible and impacts on the community more apparent. Most recently, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness countywide increased by approximately 5% between 2020 and 2022 with a 13% increase in Santa Rosa. Seventy-two percent (72%) of those individuals in 2022 were living in unsheltered and often visible conditions, such as in cars, on the street, and other public spaces not meant for human habitation. The remaining 28% were living in emergency shelters. Given the complex nature of homelessness and its many contributing factors, it is difficult to pinpoint as to why the issue has become more prominent in recent years. One factor certainly is Sonoma County’s housing market, which is one of the least affordable in the nation. In fact, 63% of those surveyed in the Point-In-Time Census reported affordable rent as the primary obstacle to obtaining permanent housing to end their homelessness. Another consideration to keep in mind is the fact that acceptance of homeless services and shelter is voluntary. While the City is required to offer services and shelter, no one can be forced to accept.

3. Where can people go rather than living on the streets?

The City provides funding to support emergency shelters for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness, including the Samuel L. Jones Hall Homeless Shelter – Sonoma County’s largest emergency shelter. Additionally, programs are available to provide food, clothing, housing and other supportive services, and the City opened a Safe Parking Program in March 2022 for individuals who are living in their vehicles. If you are aware of someone in need of homeless services and shelter, please contact the Homeless Services Outreach Team (HOST) at 707-978-8329 or [email protected].

4. What is being done about encampments on public property?

The City’s Encampment Team proactively addresses the health, safety, and environmental concerns associated with encampments. The Team is comprised of various City departments who work in coordination with the City’s contracted outreach provider, Catholic Charities’ Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST).  City protocols prioritize outreach and offering services to individuals residing in encampments prior to any enforcement action. While in-the-field, the Team evaluates health, safety, and environmental risks posed by the encampments; enforces laws where appropriate; removes trash/debris; and contacts HOST for individuals seeking services and shelter. Encampments that pose an immediate threat to health and safety are given the highest priority. More information about the City’s encampment resolution efforts is available on the City’s website under Encampment Resolution. 

5. What can be done about encampments on private property?

Encampments on private property are referred to the City’s Code Enforcement division and require cooperation of the property owner to resolve. Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) will enforce trespassing on private property, however, the property owner must have a “no trespassing” letter on file with SRPD. While not required, Code Enforcement and SRPD will coordinate with the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) to offer services in advance of removing an encampment. To make a report of an encampment on private property, please contact the City's Code Enforcement division at [email protected], 707-543-3198, or submit a complaint. 

6. What are the legal constraints to the City’s ability to address encampments?

The Ninth Circuit Court decision in Martin v. Boise requires that shelter be available and offered before any enforcement against sleeping or camping in public spaces can be undertaken. Consistent with this ruling, the City starts with a referral to Catholic Charities’ Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) to offer services and shelter to individuals residing in encampments. Following outreach and subject to the availability of services and shelter, the appropriate City departments will follow up to resolve the encampment including enforcing laws, where appropriate, and debris removal.  

7. Is the City considering additional ordinances related to homeless encampments?

The City is currently in the process of evaluating its camping ordinance and will share information with the community as it becomes available.

8. Does the City enforce laws about vehicles/RVs parked on City streets?

Vehicles parked in the public right-of-way with expired registration or that are non-operable may be towed subject to staffing resources and the capacity of the City’s towing vendor. The City implemented a Safe Parking Program in March 2022 which provides up to 50 parking spaces for individuals living in their vehicles. While this does not meet the estimated need, it is a first step for the City in trying to address vehicle encampments, provide individuals a safe place to stabilize while seeking more permanent solutions, and to mitigate impacts to the broader community.  

9. How do I request signage to restrict street parking?

To submit a request regarding street parking signage, please use the online reporting and request tool My Santa Rosa. Street signs are listed in the category of “Streets & ADA.” Please be aware that the Traffic Engineering Department reviews areas for signage based on sight distance and other related concerns and cannot place signage solely for the purpose of limiting vehicle encampments. 

10. What is being done about illegal activity?

Keep in mind that simply being homeless is not a crime and people experiencing homelessness have the same rights as everyone to be in public spaces. Some behaviors associated with homelessness may be unpleasant but are not illegal, while others may be illegal but difficult for police to enforce depending on the severity of the crime. Additionally, law enforcement response to homeless-related calls for service is not always the most effective or appropriate intervention, which is why the Santa Rosa Police Department, in collaboration with community partners, developed the inResponse Mental Health Support Team, a multi-disciplinary mobile crisis intervention service that is integrated into the City’s public safety system. More information about inResponse is available at srcity.org/inResponse. If you witness or know of Illegal activity occurring, it should be reported to the Santa Rosa Police Department’s 24/7 non-emergency line at 707-528-5222. For urgent matters call 911. Calls for service will be prioritized based on urgency and available resources.

11. How can I help?

The best and most impactful way to help someone who is experiencing homelessness is to connect them to the services and options for shelter that are available to them. The City’s non-profit partners provide food, clothing, shelter, housing, and other supportive services to meet the immediate needs of homeless community members, and are committed to helping to solve the critical, ongoing issue of homelessness in Santa Rosa.

Make a referral to HOST: If you are aware of someone in need of homeless services and shelter, please contact the Homeless Services Outreach Team (HOST) at 707-978-8329 or [email protected]. This street outreach team funded by the City is operated by Catholic Charities to help engage unsheltered community members into shelter and services.  

Donate to a Service Provider: The City’s non-profit partners provide food, clothing, housing, and other supportive services to community members who are experiencing homelessness. If you wish to help, please consider donating to one of these organizations, a partial list is available on the City's Resources webpage. 

Be a Part of the Solution: Homelessness is a critical issue in our community and many others across the Bay Area and California. Managing the immediate crisis at hand while working towards solutions to end homelessness will require a coordinated, regional response with collaboration from all sectors of the community. To learn more and get involved, visit the City’s website, attend a Santa Rosa City Council meeting, or contact us with your ideas to increase community participation at ho[email protected].