Sonoma’s winter homeless shelter draws support, concern

When Homeless Action Sonoma had an open house for the construction of the first tiny home at its new property in Boyes Hot Springs, like any good neighbor, Baker & Cook brought snacks and beverages to the house warming party.

Unlike many who fought homeless services on their street, the popular eatery is helping the shelter settle in.

“It’s about time somebody did something,” said owner Nick Demarest.

Though, not everyone was as warm in welcoming the nonprofit’s new shelter.

“Everybody needs a place to live, you know? A warm place to stay... I don't blame those people,” neighbor Rafael Oseguera said, but “there’s plenty of areas outside of Sonoma.”

Under the leadership of executive director Annie Falandes, Homeless Action Sonoma is working to put up 18 tiny homes as a temporary winter shelter at 18820 Sonoma Highway, south of Baker & Cook. The nonprofit will begin with a series of QuickHaven shelters temporarily, with a goal of building a permanent shelter on the site in the coming years.

Winter shelter beds are needed in Sonoma Valley, especially during freezing overnight temperatures and heavy rainfall, which threaten the health of unsheltered residents. The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights released a statement Dec. 29 calling for “immediate winter freeze relief” for people experiencing homelessness, and HAS hopes to help fill that need locally.

While Baker & Cook are welcoming the new endeavor on one side of HAS’s new property, not all residential neighbors were fond of the new facility. Not because of an issue with providing shelter, but providing homeless services with young families nearby.

Oseguero, a vineyard worker who has lived in Sonoma Valley for more than 20 years, said his years of work allowed him to buy a home in Boyes Hot Springs. Building a homeless shelter next to his family-oriented neighborhood isn’t ideal, he said.

“I don’t mind if those guys get something, but it should be outside of the city,” Oseguera said. “I don’t mind even helping, but I think that’s the wrong place. Not only for me, but the whole city.”

Demarest said he was apprehensive about the new development at first, unsure about what it would mean to the neighborhood. Falandes set up a meeting with Demarest and his wife to explain their shelter model.

“We heard rumors just like everybody else... It was going to be like a homeless place where homeless people are going to congregate,” Demarest said. “(HAS) came with a bunch of information about what it was. And to be quite honest, it was it was totally different than what I thought it was going to be.”

The project aims to follow the model set by the Marin County nonprofit Homeward Bound, which prioritizes meeting clients where they’re at by first creating a stable living environment, and then provide the resources and connections to secure permanent housing.

“The concept... is a housing first model,” said Sean Rodriguez, the project manager for HAS. “So it’s really important to bring, what we call our clients, off the street, bring them into the facility, and allow them to have a place to immediately stay.”

Once clients have “gotten back on their feet,” the goal is to transition them to more permanent housing, Rodriguez said.

It made sense to Demarest.

“How can you expect anybody to go from homelessness to job to house without a little bit of help? There's got to be something in there,” Demarest said. “When you're in that position, you don't have many options.”

Oseguera said he hasn’t had communication with Homeless Action Sonoma and he’s supportive of housing for people experiencing homelessness, but he thinks a better property for a facility would be at the edge of town.

Oseguera’s concerns also extend to the vineyards, where there’s a shortage for housing for agricultural workers. He asked why there wasn’t more housing for the people who work to support the local economy.

Homeless Action Sonoma’s project has garnered support from both local and county leaders. The county’s Board of Supervisors awarded $400,000 in funding for the project. And at a Dec. 1 Springs Municipal Advisory Council meeting, members applauded the efforts by Falandes and HAS.

“I’m pleased that the Springs are able to be a home for this facility because, quite frankly, I think you would have had a lot of trouble putting it in to Sonoma,” said Iris Lombard, a Springs MAC member, at the Dec. 1 meeting. “And I think it’s indicative of the spirit of the Springs.”

Also in December, Sonoma residents expressed concern about the city-approved Sonoma Overnight Support safe parking program for unhoused residents, and its proximity to the Field of Dreams where youth sports are played.

Homeless Action Sonoma is still seeking final approval to begin construction on 18 tiny homes, which they hope to get up as quickly as possible to assist some of the Valley’s unhoused residents who are braving the inclement weather of winter.

“It's a problem that exists. It's a problem that we all see. It's a problem that we all smell sometimes,” Demarest said. “To me, this seems like action in the right direction.”

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