Tiny home village opens in Boyes Hot Springs after more than 6-year effort

Homeless Action Sonoma held a grand opening for its much-anticipated homeless shelter on Sunday in Boyes Hot Springs after years of planning.

Dubbed the “Home and Safe Village,” the 18-unit tiny home village employs the “housing first” model, which prioritizes giving permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness by lowering barriers to access shelter.

“This pivotal moment signifies a collective step toward a stronger, more compassionate community,” Homeless Action Sonoma wrote in an announcement for the grand opening. “Together, we build a foundation of hope, support, and opportunity for our neighbors in need.”

For Homeless Action Sonoma Founder Annie Falandes, its opening is the manifestation of six years of efforts with the Sonoma Valley homeless community to find a long-term solution to provide the shelter, security and a second chance.

It becomes the first dedicated homeless shelter in Sonoma Valley.

“We talked and talked and talked, and we realized there's a disconnect between the services available and the homeless,” Falandes said.

She said many homeless shelters often place barriers on pets, substance use or proper documentation in order to receive housing. But the Home and Safe Village will allow residents to have shelter first and begin treatment for physical and mental health conditions while they are housed.

“We're working on solving the physical problems, not putting band aids on them,” Falandes said. “I'm so happy we have a relationship with the Hanna Center, who's coming in and doing mental health evaluations and then creating programs for the clients.”

Jesse Meacham, who will become a resident of one of the tiny homes, said the opening is a beacon to the homeless community.

“It's like an indicator of progress for a situation that we're all dealing with,” Meacham said. “It gives people that are homeless some sort of hope.”

At the grand opening event Sunday, Sonoma Valley residents had the chance to check out the property, touring the inside of one tiny home and walking around the pastel-painted property.

Christmas lights were strung outside the model home. Inside lay a twin-size bed and a sitting desk with brochures for mental health treatment and other social services.

It offered a warm retreat from the cold, wet weather outside.

Volunteers from the Sonoma Valley Secret Santa Program dropped off blankets, sleeping bags and clothing to the on-site office. Other attendees of the grand opening grabbed burgers from Squeeze Burger food van and chatted with clients.

Gerry La Londe-Berg, a member of Homeless Action from Richmond, came to the event to see what he once considered an overly optimistic pursuit by Falandes.

“When Annie came to me, I thought she was really naive,” La Londe-Berg said. “I recognized her for the business person that she is … But then she stepped into the homelessness labyrinth — for lack of a better word — of having to find the money to get through the city, the county, the permits, all of that stuff. And she did it.”

While Falandes said the completion took longer than expected, she was proud of the ongoing work to rehouse clients.

Homeless Action Sonoma issued a press release before the event saying the Home and Safe Village is a “testament of power.”

While the grand opening is an accomplishment to Homeless Action Sonoma and its supporters, Falandes’ remains focused on creating change in its clients.

“Once they get on their feet and they start feeling better, the change in them is amazing,” Falandes said. “It's working beyond my imagination, even though I knew it would work. It's just so lovely to see it working so well.”

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