Housing Sonoma County's Homeless: It Takes A Village

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — As Sonoma County government officials moved forward this week with their plan for addressing homelessness in the county, the Joe Rodota Trail that runs parallel to state Highway 12 west of Santa Rosa was bustling with activity. Sonoma County Parks rangers and personnel with the Santa Rosa Police Department were out in force Wednesday morning to ensure that all occupants of the homeless encampment — it has grown to a population of around 220 along a 1-mile stretch of the bicycle and pedestrian path — are aware the county is shutting down the camp because it is illegal and unsanitary.

Rangers and officers attached a legal notice on bright-blue paper to every tent and makeshift shelter, and, when possible, made personal contact with campers to inform them they need to vacate the trail by Wednesday, Jan. 29. The notices were dated Jan. 22 and were the second round; the first round of notices went out Jan. 15.

Authorities are encouraging the displaced campers to apply for a spot at Los Guilicos Village, an emergency temporary shelter site at 171 Pythian Road, where 60 small houses — each consisting of 64 square feet of living space — began to take shape this week.

The site is surrounded by chain-link fencing and in addition to the tiny "houses," is comprised of restrooms, showers, a dining area/ warming station, personal storage units, a dog run, a social services Navigation Center and an area for medical services.

Fire watch and 24-hour security are in place at Los Guilicos Village, which is funded by the county and managed and supported by St. Vincent de Paul.

Total one-time costs for the 2-acre site on North Pythian Road — near the county's Juvenile Justice Center, state Highway 12 and the Oakmont senior community — is around $2 million, while ongoing costs are expected to be around $240,000 a month.

Los Guilicos Village is among the first of several measures Sonoma County government officials have in the works after the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a homeless emergency Dec. 17 on the Joe Rodota Trail because of a reported rat infestation and other unsanitary conditions that make the trail a public health hazard.

The temporary shelter is an interim solution and is expected to remain in operation until longer-term indoor-outdoor shelters are ready, but no later than April 30 — whichever comes first, according to a web page being maintained by the county with the most up-to-date information about the Homeless Emergency.

The two longer-term shelters are a pilot program and are expected to remain in operation for nine months, and may include a combination of onsite housing structures, RV hookups and safe parking. When the pilot site or sites are identified, Los Guilicos Village will close and residents will relocate.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Sonoma County Supes Approve $11M Plan For Housing The Homeless
• Sonoma County To Buy 2 Residences For Homeless Trail Campers
• Sonoma County Homeless: $2M Emergency Outdoor Shelter Approved