Keep People Housed - Sonoma Pilot Program to Launch Dec. 16, 2024

The Keep People Housed-Sonoma pilot program, Sonoma County's first-ever initiative dedicated to preventing homelessness across the region, is set to launch on Dec. 16, 2024. Supported by $3.9 million in funding, this two-year program represents an innovative collaboration between the City of Santa Rosa, the County of Sonoma, the City of Petaluma, All Home, and local service providers, led by COTS (Committee on the Shelterless).

The Keep People Housed program is designed to provide critical, targeted support to vulnerable families and individuals in Sonoma County at risk of losing their homes. The program aims to prevent between 350-400 households from falling into homelessness.

The initiative unites leading social service providers from across the county, including Reach for Home in Northern Sonoma County, West County Community Services in the west, Community Support Network in Santa Rosa, HomeFirst in Sonoma Valley, and the COTS' team in Southern Sonoma County. Legal Aid of Sonoma County will also play a key role by providing essential legal services to program participants.

Keep People Housed uses an online application that analyzes evidence-based research to score applicants, ensuring those with a higher risk of homelessness are prioritized. Program participants will receive free financial assistance and case management to help families and individuals gain further financial independence through budgeting, employment assistance, benefit enrollment services, legal assistance, and more.

*Beginning Dec. 16, 2024