Homeless Action Sonoma facing debt amid full opening of homeless village

Homeless Action Sonoma is facing the beginning of interest payments on a $2.7 million loan next month as it pushes for the grand opening of its tiny home village.

Homeless Action Sonoma still requires sewer and electricity connections at 18820 Sonoma Highway with winter quickly approaching, and the beginning of $6,900 monthly interest payments on its loan is a challenge for the homeless services provider.

“One of my board members lent us money to buy the property outright and to do all the construction that was necessary, which seemed like a good idea, and it is,” Falandes said. “But now, time rolls by really quickly, and the payments are needed to begin this month.”

HAS began housing clients in 18 tiny homes in July while Falandes has coordinated plans to add basic infrastructure to the site, but the site remains incomplete.

“It's one of those circular things in that I need to get the property looking nice... before my board thinks that it would be appropriate to hold a open house,” Falandes said. “And until I can hold an open house, it's very, very difficult to fundraise on a large scale.”

Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin has followed the progress of the HAS tiny home village since its inception, and she said it is difficult for the nonprofit to compete for the state’s housing grants without a fully complete property.

“They have not qualified, even though they've turned in grant applications, for Project Homekey funding,” Gorin said of the state’s rehabilitative housing program. “ (Director of Sonoma County Homelessness Services) Dave Kiff suggested once they have a track record of providing services, then it'll be easier for them to compete for funding to provide the funding for permanent supportive housing.”

Still, HAS began housing clients into its tiny homes in July, Falandes said, and HAS has rehoused 14 people from its services, including a family of four who were previously living out of their vehicle.

“That's what's exciting, because this is transition,” Falandes said. “This is to get them off the streets and get them healthy and get them in a position where they can get permanent housing.”

Contact Chase Hunter at chase.hunter@sonomanews.com and follow @Chase_HunterB on Twitter.