Homeless encampments along the Joe Rodota Trail

[Farmer Lynda]

[This is Lynda Hopkins' post from Thanksgiving posted on Facebook - Barry ]

---

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for a warm, dry house; a roof over our heads; a cheerful kitchen to cook in; running water; and a flushing toilet. On Thanksgiving I think it’s worth remembering that we have more than 2,000 homeless residents in our County and nearly 200 camped on the Joe Rodota Trail.

I know this is tremendously controversial and I know that there are many people in our community who disagree with placing port-a-potties (donated by the community, not paid for by government) along the Joe Rodota Trail. But I am also grateful that today, on Thanksgiving, people will not be urinating and defecating along the trail but rather in basic sanitation facilities that protect public health and afford a small amount of dignity to those encamped along the trail.

I want to be very clear: my goal is very much to NOT have anyone camped along the Joe Rodota Trail. My goal is to have the trail free and clear for runners and cyclists. And I want to achieve that goal as quickly as possible. But for legal as well as ethical reasons, we must pursue that goal in a humane way, by attempting to offer each and every person camped there an alternative place to go.

A few things to know about homelessness and the Joe Rodota Trail:

• The County has been working extremely hard to identify and address gaps in our current system of care and staff plans to present options to the Board of Supervisors before the end of the year.

• Homelessness does not have a ‘one-size fits all’ solution and it doesn’t occur overnight. There is no “snap your finger” solution — but I’m always open to any suggestions and ideas.

• The County continues to actively work with local providers to increase outreach and services for those living along the Joe Rodota Trail. Our efforts focus on helping people obtain housing and services, as well as ensuring that all agencies remain informed and involved.

• The JRT encampment continues to change, as homelessness is not a static event for most people. Often, it takes time to build trust. It’s not uncommon for people to enter the system of care and leave it several times before they are permanently housed.

• Having said that, sweeps, noticing and enforcement are not the end goals. These tactics are merely a temporary Band-Aid on a deeper societal issue. The goal is always to permanently house people in a way that meets their needs. In order to solve the issues along the trail, we must help the people living there.

• As of November 27, 2019, County staff estimates approximately 160 people are living along the trail. On November 26, portable toilets and handwashing stations were installed to support public health. This does not mean we are turning the trail into a permanent encampment; just that we are addressing an urgent need as we move forward with solutions in order to return the trail to its linear park status.

• Regional Parks' mission is to provide public access to safe, clean parks and trails. The Community Development Commission is dedicated to creating homes for all in thriving and inclusive neighborhoods. We are committed to working collaboratively with the City of Santa Rosa to address the Joe Rodota Trail encampment and homelessness within our shared jurisdiction.

[Moon]

I don't have a heck of a high opinion of the Board of Supes in general; if they give
an eructation in a high wind about the poor, why didn't they rein in Shirlee Zane
before she got rid of the Chanate property?

However, I recently attended a Board meeting, about doing a hatchet job on IOLERO (Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Outreach, the last word of which was originally intended to be Oversight.) Lynda Hopkins is the only supervisor who dared to point out to those ranting about the Board caving to "special interest groups" that the special interest group represented by the speakers from the audience was the population of Sonoma County.

...A few things to know about homelessness and the Joe Rodota Trail:...

[BlueBayou]

This was posted on the County of Sonoma Community Development Commission (CDC) Page. I cannot find anywhere an estimate of how many people are being served for each award or application. I also do not find anything results oriented.

I guess I was looking for something to show that what these programs do with the money they’ve requested have had significant enough impact to make them eligible to continue getting approval or make requests. What is the criteria for award?

Interestingly enough under the Ineligible category, it was not based on the not meeting mandatory professional or a minimum type of quality assurance of some sort. The ineligible award requests were all of technical aspects, pages not being numbered correctly in application, a field left blank. Most were just one agency. Maybe they need support with the application process but have a worthy need? Are we only setting funding aside for these providers to work within their own criteria and projects ?

Does the County have its own projects or are we just relying on the fact these organizations are in our community. I’m not sure and I am asking. If that is what is happening, i worry it’s an illusion. Not to say these organizations don’t do good work, but when a Joe Rodota Trail encampment forms who is earmarked to take that on , before it gets worse. Are we getting the best return on every dollar allocated and how is that checked ? If the County does not have its own committee working on identified projects contributing to resolving the homelessness issue why not? It would then become obvious why the encampment on Joe Rodota Trail is just percolating for disaster. What is it going to take before we actually get 160 people habitable living accommodations? It’s growing faster than we can keep up I know that.

In yesterday’s Press Democrat it reported the millions of dollars the state awarded the county for use towards expenses and recovery from the Kincaid Fire. That does not included any funding for personal property loss or to foot the bill for debris removal on personal property. You and your insurance company are on the hook for that.

This was awarded quickly and swiftly so immediate action can be taken to begin recovery as it was deemed a state of emergency. Why are not the lives of those out there tonite in 35 degree weather deemed a state of emergency too?

Below is a summary of the requests made for for the 2019-2020 Consolidated Notice of Funding Availability for Homeless Services Funding to The CDC.


Summary of Homeless Services Requests

49 Applications deemed eligible

Category	Amount Requested
Coordinated Entry Access Points	$365,000
Emergency Shelter	$1,693,770
Fair Housing Related Services	$260,100
Homelessness Prevention & Diversion	$868,009
Other Homeless Services	$1,455,779
Permanent Supportive Housing	$2,830,144
Rapid Re-Housing	$2,446,237
Street Outreach	$1,019,439
Winter Shelter	$446,558
Subtotal Services	$11,385,036

23 Applications deemed eligible

Category	Amount Requested
Permanent Supportive Housing – Construction/Rehab	$9,363,976
Permanent Supportive Housing - Acquisition	$7,250,000
Emergency Shelter Rehabilitation	$93,699
City Capital Development Projects	$4,703,698
Subtotal Capital Development	$21,411,373

Eligible Homeless Services Submissions

Coordinated Entry Access Points: $365,000

• Catholic Charities - Coordinated Entry
• Interfaith Shelter Network - Sonoma Valley Access Point

Emergency Shelter: $1,693,770

• Catholic Charities: Sam Jones Hall
• Committee on the Shelterless (COTS): Mary Isaak Center Emergency Shelter
• Community Action Partnership: Sloan Women's Emergency Shelter
• Catholic Charities: Family Support Center
• YWCA: Confidential Safe House and Services
• Social Advocates for Youth: Dream Center Emergency Shelter
• Progress Foundation: Peer Respite

Homelessness Prevention & Diversion: $868,009

• Catholic Charities: Homeless Prevention/Diversion
• Committee on the Shelterless (COTS): COTS Prevention Diversion Program
• Community Action Partnership: HCA Family Fund
• Social Advocates for Youth: TAY Homelessness Prevention
• SHARE - Sonoma County: Sonoma County Home Share Program
• SHARE - Sonoma County: Sonoma Valley Home Share Program

Other Homeless Services: $1,455,779

• Catholic Charities: Mental Health Integration Pilot
• Goodwill Industries of the Redwood Empire: Mental Health Homeless Services Peer Navigators
• Russian Riverkeeper: Clean Camp & Education
• St. Vincent de Paul Sonoma County: Sonoma County Homeless Court
• West County Community Services: Meeting Their Needs - Leveraging High Acuity Case Management
• The Living Room/Homeless Action!: West College Ave. Tent Village
• The Living Room/Homeless Action!: Sister Scene Safe Parking & Tent Camping

Permanent Supportive Housing - $2,830,144

• Catholic Charities: PSH - Alternative for Unsheltered Community (for Service-Resistant Population)
• Catholic Charities: Palms Inn (Services)
• Community Support Network: CSN PSH - Housing First (Stony Point Common)
• Community Support Network: Sanctuary House PSH Program
• Committee on the Shelterless (COTS): Vida Nueva Permanent Supportive Housing
• Reach for Home: Permanent Supportive Housing
• The Living Room: The Living Room - Road to Home
• The Living Room/Homeless Action!: Fair Homes - 2005 Linwood

Rapid-Rehousing - $2,446,237

• Catholic Charities: Rapid Re-Housing
• Committee on the Shelterless: COTS Rapid Re-Housing
• InterFaith Shelter Network: Housing First - Sonoma Valley
• InterFaith Shelter Network: Family Rapid Re-Housing
• Reach for Home: Short Term Subsidy (RRH)
• Sonoma County Housing Authority: Housing Navigation & Stabilization
• Social Advocates for Youth: Rapid Re-Housing
• West County Community Services: West County Rapid Rehousing +
• TLC Child & Family Services: THP - Plus Expansion

Street Outreach - $1,019,439

• Abode Sonoma County: The Care Van
• Catholic Charities: Homeless Service Center
• Catholic Charities: HOST
• Reach for Home: Outreach
• Social Advocates for Youth: Street Outreach

Winter Shelter - $446,558

• Sonoma Overnight Support: SOS Winter Shelter
• Committee on the Shelterless (COTS): COTS Winter Shelter
• Catholic Charities: Winter Shelter Expansion
• Social Advocates for Youth: TAY Winter Shelter Expansion
• West County Community Services: West County Winter Shelter

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[Mary C]

Commentary: When helping isn’t helpful
By Mary Carouba

The homeless crisis on the Joe Rodota Trail has galvanized many in our community, and compassionate individuals are taking various actions in an effort to help. As one who once lived in that world and who has worked professionally with drug addiction and homelessness over the past 30 years, I have concerns about this grassroots community response.

Though there are many causes of homelessness — mental health issues, addiction to alcohol and other drugs, the numerous fires since 2017, immigration inequities and more — meth is the driving force behind the crisis on the Joe Rodota Trail, and we need to respond accordingly. Meth is driving some of the most dangerous activity on the trail. It is contributing disproportionately to conflicts with neighbors and poses the greatest danger to those trying to help.

There are many homeless individuals and groups who live peacefully in Sonoma County, and who are accepted by their communities in a sometimes uneasy but generally “Let’s co-exist peacefully” kind of a way. That is not the story of the Joe Rodota Trail.

Compassionate individuals are doing laundry for those on the trail, giving them rides and even bringing them into their homes; this approach concerns me greatly. A problem like this requires a concerted and consistent multi-agency approach, and individuals who are wading in the middle of this situation are putting themselves at risk. I’m not arguing that we shouldn’t help when we see a community need; I am simply advocating that we do it in a way that serves the people we’re trying to help and doesn’t enable them to continue hurting themselves.

Many of the people on the trail would not be homeless if not for their addiction. And when you give an addict money, rides, pallets, etc., you may be enabling them to continue using, extending the length of time they will use. The absolute best thing that can happen for an addict is to hit bottom. If you’re dealing with an active addict, every piece of help you provide potentially delays that process.

Drug addiction is like a fever; you need to starve it, not feed it. Every penny given, every piece of clothing washed, every ride given, can unwittingly support drug addiction, theft and hopelessness, all of which increase the underlying problems that caring individuals are so earnestly trying to address.

Few of the addicts on the trail are self-supporting, which means many of them resort to illegal activities such as theft, etc., to maintain their addiction. There is a large bicycle chop shop on the trail, with hundreds of stolen bike parts — an illegal operation taking place in broad daylight. There are also robust drug sales taking place on the trail daily. I’ve dealt with the end results of drug addiction of all kinds: methamphetamine is by far the worst and most dangerous drug I’ve ever encountered and is the most resistant to treatment because of the changes to brain chemistry. When I worked with Child Protective Services, it was clear that some of the greatest damage done to children was perpetrated by meth addicts. It is a cruel, vicious drug that often causes permanent brain damage. So please be careful about what it is you’re supporting when you step in the middle of people’s lives with your good intentions.

Most of the people on the trail have had tough lives, and some of them began using drugs to survive those challenges. I deeply understand and relate to this in the most personal of ways. They, like me, are richly deserving of a better life, but a better life will never be available to them as long as they are addicted to drugs.

Please consider partnering with severely underfunded and understaffed community agencies that have resources, information and a familiarity with this population before you step into the middle of a powerful network of drug-addicted individuals. Drug addiction, alcoholism, barely funded mental health resources and homelessness are all serious problems in search of real solutions and require a serious community response. Doing laundry, providing rides and giving money may make the giver feel good, and it does provide some temporary relief for people who are living with so little, but it does little to solve the underlying problems.

It doesn’t work to give away a blanket but then say, “Not in my neighborhood” when a shelter is proposed. It doesn’t work to give an a homeless individual $10, then vote against a bill that would address the situation in a serious way, but which would slightly raise your taxes. There are real solutions, but they require some sacrifice on the part of the community, and until now, the community has responded to that need with a resounding, “Meh.”

There seems to be an attitude on the part of those helping that, “No one is doing anything, so we need to take action,” yet there are extraordinary groups that have been pounding away at this problem and its many underlying causes for years with little community support, a dearth of funding and few volunteers. They have been attempting to tackle the complex underlying issues of mental health and addiction with little support from the community, yet they continue to stagger along. If you want to help, please find a group like that and partner with them.

There are many good people living on that trail who are down on their luck, caught in traps not of their own making and facing all kinds of life challenges. They’re not out to do anyone any harm. They’re also not the reason I’m asking people to be very cautious.

In the end, all those on the trail who need help deserve a serious and sustained community response that will address the underlying causes that have brought us to this desperate point. In the meantime, when your compassion compels you to do something, anything, and you jump in and begin taking action, unless you are intimately familiar with this population, you run the risk of harming those you are trying to help by enabling their addiction, and you potentially expose yourself and your family to great danger. Please just think twice.

Mary Carouba is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book, Women at Ground Zero, TED Talk presenter, award-winning Moth storyteller and a former investigative social worker for Sonoma County Child Protective Services.

[doghairnancy]

This problem isn't going to go away at any cost the county is going to be able to reckon with. If we build housing for the homeless, the cost is going to be prohibitive (remember the $133K tiny houses for vets?) and the working poor are going to wonder why nobody worries about their precarious situation. We're in deep doodoo. At least the portapotties are a stopgap for the doodoo, they we know they are going to be vandalized or stolen. I'm grateful to Lynda Hopkins for being thoughtful, honest, smart, and not in the job for questionable reasons. We are lucky to have a supe of her caliber and commitment.

[BlueBayou]

If you live on Joe Rodota Trail and wanted to get off the trail and into one of the posted 184 Winter Shelter beds available.....assuming traveling to a different Sonoma County City is problematic, Santa Rosa only has 40 beds of the 184 listed for Single Adults. At best we can only serve 1/4 of those living on the Trail and that’s if others currently homeless hidden elsewhere in Santa Rosa don’t apply. Those 40 beds all come from Redwood Gospel Mission. Without sounding cynical or unappreciative, I am not sure I can apply the “something better than nothing “ here. I’d be embarrassed to announce that as a Committee when the heart of your announcement states, “ helping to protect people from the years’ harshest winter” This comes from The County of Sonoma’s Committee -Home Sonoma County.

There are long-term solutions and short term necessities. Right now, Winter is coming. It is getting colder - by night and by day. Those who are out of doors would do better inside, we should all agree....

[rossmen]

Address gaps and present options before the end of the year, that's the plan. Besides setting up temporary facilities for camping along the main bike trail to Rosa.

Lynda Hopkins does not know how many homeless people there are. Most homeless people I know don't take part in the count. One problem with setting up the bike trails as camping is that it limits trail potential. And Santa Rosa declined to settle with homeless action, they want the poor to move west. Usually what the city's and county do as winter comes on is provide more shelter, so people can be warm and dry in the coldest months. The new plan seems to be letting the most vulnerable, many suffering from mental and drug problems, freeze to death.

...A few things to know about homelessness and the Joe Rodota Trail...

[Shandi]

Mary, you say that you "lived in that world". Would you share some of your personal story of living homeless, where this was, and if you were addicted to Meth. Did you have a child or children during this time? How did you uplift yourself from the streets? What agency was instrumental? You may explain this in a book or Ted Talk, but I'm curious if you could comment briefly here, on your experience.

Commentary: When helping isn’t helpful
By Mary Carouba

The homeless crisis on the Joe Rodota Trail has galvanized many in our community, and compassionate individuals are taking various actions in an effort to help. As one who once lived in that world and who has worked professionally with drug addiction and homelessness over the past 30 years, I have concerns about this grassroots community response.....

[Hotspring 44]

Shandi and others,
Here is a link to a YouTube video that will answer some of the questions that are in the quote-box below:

Mary, you say that you "lived in that world". Would you share some of your personal story of living homeless, where this was, and if you were addicted to Meth. Did you have a child or children during this time? How did you uplift yourself from the streets? What agency was instrumental? You may explain this in a book or Ted Talk, but I'm curious if you could comment briefly here, on your experience.

[Mayacaman]

rossmen wrote:

"...Santa Rosa declined to settle with homeless action, they want the poor to move west. Usually what the city's and county do as winter comes on is provide more shelter, so people can be warm and dry in the coldest months. The new plan seems to be letting the most vulnerable, many suffering from mental and drug problems, freeze to death..."

Let us hope that is not the "new plan." Yet, Ross, you may be on to something. Back at the time of World War One, "gone west" meant to have died. Tucker Carlson and other talking heads on Fox News can pontificate about "ideology" - presumably a democrat party "Ideology" that brought this Crisis of Homelessness on - but it seems that the bottom line ideology is Social Darwinism & Survival of the fittest. -And that seems to be very much a bi-partisan ideology.

[Mayacaman]

doghairnancy wrote:

"...This problem isn't going to go away at any cost the county is going to be able to reckon with. If we build housing for the homeless, the cost is going to be prohibitive (remember the $133K tiny houses for vets?) and the working poor are going to wonder why nobody worries about their precarious situation..."

Nancy, the long-term solution is to open up a portion of the two hundred and forty-five million [245,000,000] acres that the Bureau of Land Management is "managing" to Homesteads - in two schedules of parcels: one for the Homeless, and another for the "working poor" - as I have written over on the other thread.

In the wilderness, one doesn't need sewer hook-ups or being connected to the grid; solar panels suffice. The cost of building a tiny house out of rammed-earth blocks is a tiny fraction of the cost that those homes for vets cost. I would wager that it can be done for about two and a half thousand dollars - if the working poor & homeless candidates for the Homesteads would do the work themselves - as in former times.

The issue of Homelessness is too big for the Counties to be able to solve alone. All the county should have to do is provide temporary warm accommodations during the cold season - and a large lot {or two or three} somewhere for a Tent City where the Homeless may camp when it is warm and dry. At the present hour a warm, dry place is the urgent need of all of the Homeless in California, and across the nation.

Open Up the Armories!!

[Meinvelt]

Shandi, I think you're on target !

Mary, you say that you "lived in that world". Would you share some of your personal story of living homeless, ...

[BlueBayou]

THE USE OF CONVERTED STORAGE CONTAINERS

This video made me smile listening to the affects providing safe temporary housing to those homeless and what it means to them. The video shows how used storage containers can be converted into temporary housing where you can stay upwards to 18 months but most were ready much sooner and left for their self supporting permanent housing. One formerly homeless person simply said , “when you have a home all of the sudden everything else falls into place”. The project makes it mandatory that after someone builds for you ,you build for someone else. The program doesn’t just convert storage containers , it converts people.

They also used donated old school buses that were for converted in emergency overnight shelters where you can stay up to 2 nights with each bus accommodating 6 individuals in twin bed size sleeping areas. Reading ways other communities have set these and the converted storage containers up quickly was not to complicate with plumbing/sewer/water challenges , but by bringing in a portable trailer like facilities for these purposes with the tiny houses surrounding them. Where toilets were placed in some designs, they used composting toilet designs.

There are many videos out there and designs . I chose this one because it included the human factor. There are design kits avail free of charge for converting and can be done including purchasing the container with minimal constructional design for about $2,500 $3,600. Project completion time estimates (depending on volunteers available) 2-3 weeks. Again we are talking solutions for emergency and temporary transitional housing here.

Los Angeles County was awarded grant funds to their Public Healthcare Agency to be used for housing the homeless specifically those identified as having an impact on the MediCal system. The State Healthcare Agency does not usually allocate funds for housing. A study showed the longer a person remains homeless, the more money it ends up costing in MediCal services directly related to enduring health issues from living on the streets.

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

It's obvious that people need somewhere on the outskirts of Santa Rosa and other towns to park rvs and build shanties and set up tents. When you got nothing but the cold ground a tent and a cot is a mansion. When you got a tent and a cot an old rv is a mansion. Way back you could build a hobo house out of old pallets along a rail line if you were down and out. Almost no one wants to live in a shelter. Urban camping is a lot better for most. There are thousands of old rvs that don't run but would make acceptable shelter if there were a place you could locate them. It's happening anyway. It would be far better to provide areas that have sewer hookups or a community bathroom.

[arthunter]

I want to add weight to this opinion. You are absolutely right! I tried to help three homeless people recently and I' m still paying for that decision. These were not people on the trail. They had jobs, dressed well, and they were intelligent. They were living in their cars and I had extra space. I did background checks, asked about drug use, told them I did not allow illegal drugs ... Blah, blah, blah ... They were all on meth ...moved in, stopped paying rent and wouldn't leave. What is the county doing about this giant meth problem? This isn't the first time I've been hurt by this. Someone is making a whole lot of money destroying lives, thus endangering us all. I tried to clean up my own neighborhood only to face massive retaliation.

Commentary: When helping isn’t helpful
By Mary Carouba
...

[tommy]

It's about compassion.

Even though you've been burned, even though you were taken advantage of... the human heart is always ready to offer compassion to another, because that's what compassion is all about! We're all in this boat together.

There, on the Joe Rodota Trail, but for the grace of God, it could be me.

Hafiz says:

Even after all this time
the sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."

Look what happens
with a love like that -
It lights the whole world!

I want to add weight to this opinion. You are absolutely right! I tried to help three homeless people recently and I' m still paying for that decision. ...

[JONESY]

"Compassion ... Forgivness ... Acceptance"

it's about compassion.
...

[Shandi]

I have also brought a homeless man into my space, and although he wasn't on meth or any other heavy drug, he began to gaslight me, and tell me he was my "spiritual teacher". It took me a year to get him out, and even though I warned friends about him, two of my women friends also took him in, after I finally got him out. He burned them too. He was a very successful manipulator. And I learned from that experience not to bring anyone into my space that I don't know. Hell, even when we know them, people can be triggered by stress, and lash out on us. It happens in relationships all the time.

I've also had the experience of being emotionally abused by home owners, while renting a room from them. They had jobs, a nice home, and appeared mentally healthy, but within a couple of months, the truth of their emotional instability showed itself. They weren't drug addicts, unless you count daily wine consumption, and smart phone addiction.

My very good friend tells me not to give unless I have "surplus". She knows how my giving nature has hurt me when I give on a personal level. Now, I try to give only from a distance, or through an organized charity.
I learned that I can't risk losing the little I have, and it's important to consider the potential downside of my giving. The "what ifs".

Giving a pair of shoes to someone without any is very different than bringing that person into our homes. We have to realize the risk, especially if we've had the experience already. We need to be kind to ourselves first, and kindly ruthless to those who may ultimate cause us grief, even unintentionally. We can't know these things ahead of time, so we need to evaluate the potential for risk as much as possible.

Meth is a life destroyer, easy to find and get addicted to, and cheap. It was originally made available to the inner cities, as a way to control minorities, and has now spread far and wide. It gives a temporary high, as a way to escape the constant suffering. Even though the consequences of using are very visible, it provides momentary relief from the ravages of the horrible reality of living on the street, or the apparent safety of shelters.

I want to add weight to this opinion. You are absolutely right! I tried to help three homeless people recently and I' m still paying for that decision. ...

[Mayacaman]

arthunter wrote:
I want to add weight to this opinion. You are absolutely right! I tried to help three homeless people recently and I' m still paying for that decision. ...


Shandi wrote:

I have also brought a homeless man into my space, and although he wasn't on meth or any other heavy drug, he began to gaslight me, and tell me he was my "spiritual teacher". It took me a year to get him out, and even though I warned friends about him, two of my women friends also took him in, after I finally got him out. He burned them too. He was a very successful manipulator. And I learned from that experience not to bring anyone into my space that I don't know. Hell, even when we know them, people can be triggered by stress, and lash out on us. It happens in relationships all the time...

Duly noted, that one will generally encounter with difficulty when one brings strangers into one's space. Many of us have had the same or similar experiences in that regard. Nevertheless, no one should be homeless, even if taking them in - as 'friends' or as renters is not practical.

= Bottom Line is Still the Same =

Ending Chronic Homelessness Saves Taxpayers Money

[BlueBayou]

If anyone is attending any future meetings where there is another argument on finding money to fund even an interim solution. I recently remembered a source of imcome the City of SR should be generating. It’s worth inquiring and asking for some due diligence be sprinkled on it too. The City of Santa Rosa requires Landlords with 3 or more residential rental spaces/units, to have a Business License and Tax Certificate and pay a business tax based on gross receipts. The amount is calculated by using the formula below. Basically it’s going to be $3,000 a year for most.

I know from researching this previously that very very few rental properties (landlords ) comply and the city explained at least to me it doesn’t have the man power to track this down. It’s kind of on the good faith policy. Don’t know why it’s so hard, I can think of quite a few turn key solutions. If you do get caught though there are substantial penalties and back taxes due. Not sure how often that happens either.

Since it’s all related to housing, seems it could earmark a portion towards funding a solution to those we don’t have room for anywhere else. Maybe I missed something here. I do know the last 3 landlords I had were clueless they’d need a business license. It’s a business !?! Just a thought.

• $25 plus $0.34 per every $1,000 in gross receipts (or portion thereof) over $25,000
• Maximum tax = $3,000

[tommy]

I was at a public meeting on Wed Dec 11, where Sonoma Co Supervisor Shirley Zane, Santa Rosa Mayor Tom Schwedhelm and the Healdsburg mayor were the speakers. In the Q&A, I suggested that public land be make available for those living on the Joe Rodota trail. Both Supervisor Zane and Mayor Schwedhelm were against it, offering the typical excuses that it was too much of a burden on public services, and difficulties in control.

What's ludicrous is that Homeless Action! in Santa Rosa has a grant of $450k for services to the homeless, such as caseworkers, but they can't find a property where a "sanctioned encampment" is possible. Here is one hand of the government offering help, and the other hand refusing to help. The answer is for the County or City to make some land available. The public owns the land. This would be a great use for the land, and relieve human suffering.

[Cynthia Poten]

Thanks for this post. It is ludicrous. It encapsulates at the local level what is happening nationally and internationally -- officials with neither heart nor vision who continually abdicate their responsibility for sustaining the public welfare -- the welfare of all the people. Officials have to be forced into doing the right thing. Beyond the ballot, the force we have is a massive grassroots demonstration based on clear demands and feasible options. I hope that's being organized.

I was at a public meeting ....

[Mayacaman]

Cynthia Poten wrote:

Thanks for this post. It is ludicrous. It encapsulates at the local level what is happening nationally and internationally -- officials with neither heart nor vision who continually abdicate their responsibility for sustaining the public welfare -- the welfare of all the people. Officials have to be forced into doing the right thing. Beyond the ballot, the force we have is a massive grassroots demonstration based on clear demands and feasible options. I hope that's being organized.

tommy wrote:

I was at a public meeting on Wed Dec 11, where Sonoma Co Supervisor Shirley Zane, Santa Rosa Mayor Tom Schwedhelm and the Healdsburg mayor were the speakers. In the Q&A, I suggested that public land be make available for those living on the Joe Rodota trail. Both Supervisor Zane and Mayor Schwedhelm were against it, offering the typical excuses that it was too much of a burden on public services, and difficulties in control.

What's ludicrous is that Homeless Action! in Santa Rosa has a grant of $450k for services to the homeless, such as caseworkers, but they can't find a property where a "sanctioned encampment" is possible. Here is one hand of the government offering help, and the other hand refusing to help. The answer is for the County or City to make some land available. The public owns the land. This would be a great use for the land, and relieve human suffering.

"A massive grassroots demonstration based on clear demands and feasible options..."

Amen to that. This is a cause that is worth putting one's body on the picket line for. Not only does the County of Sonoma own "public land" that is nearby the Joe Rodota Trail; the State of California also owns land (in Trust for "We the People") that would be quite suitable for tiny houses & tiny villages, also.

Again, I would also emphasize that the Bureau of Land Management is sitting on over two hundred and forty-five million [245,000,000] acres of the so-called "Public Domain" - most of which is located in eleven western states.

Would it be reasonable and feasible for a grassroots movement to demand that twenty million arable and live-able acres of that terrain of "Public Domain" be made available for Homesteading, once again?

Anyone may attend the meetings of Homeless Action! - and anyone can participate in their scheduled events. They meet every Monday, between 9:30 and 11:00 at the Methodist Church just east of Memorial Hospital on Montgomery Avenue in Santa Rosa.

[Shandi]

As Tommy comments "they can't find a property where a "sanctioned encampment" is possible".

So now, they have an "unsanctioned encampment" out of control, in their face, and in the faces of everyone who passes by this homeless tent city on the JR Trail. This is a shameful situation that points to a serious inefficiency and lack of intelligence and caring with Santa Rosa officials to follow the examples of what many other cities are doing to solve this growing problem all over the US, and beyond. If only they could see their own loved ones in the faces of the homeless, they would take action to protect and shelter their family and friends.

...What's ludicrous is that Homeless Action! in Santa Rosa has a grant of $450k for services to the homeless, such as caseworkers, but they can't find a property where a "sanctioned encampment" is possible. ...

[podfish]

As Tommy comments "they can't find a property where a "sanctioned encampment" is possible"...

since I used a different Heller quote the other day in a different thread, the book's in my mind. But does "the dead man in Yossarian's tent" ring a bell? Sometimes people are helpless to solve a problem that poses no problem at all to someone else. People in government are so used to dealing with the reasons why you shouldn't do something that they find it hard if not impossible to act strongly enough to solve the problem, even if the need to adopt a different approach is obvious to anyone else. Kinda hard to blame them too much - we don't really want the government running amok and making decisions that violate some rules just because they feel it's necessary. But in this case, they kinda need to anyway.

[Shandi]

The officials on every level make decisions that violate basic human dignity, the well-being of all living beings, and the welfare of the planet. The government IS "running amok" and has been for a very long time, not just since Trump became "king".

I subscribe to the Good News Network to learn of positive actions in our world, so that I don't fall victim to the depression and rage that I sometimes feel if by chance I get contaminated with even a bit of the standard news that the masses clamor for.

Here's something that came in today that shows how one community has built 3D printed homes in Mexico."The resilient, 500-square-foot homes were each 3D printed in around 24 hours of print time across several days by ICON, a construction technologies company, and feature final construction build out by ÉCHALE, New Story’s nonprofit partner in Mexico. The built-to-last homes alocated in rural Tabasco, Mexico.

... Kinda hard to blame them too much - we don't really want the government running amok and making decisions that violate some rules just because they feel it's necessary. But in this case, they kinda need to anyway.

[Shandi]

Lynda Hopkins states "The Community Development Commission is dedicated to creating homes for all in thriving and inclusive neighborhoods" I looked up "inclusive community" and found this:

"An inclusive community: Does everything that it can to respect all its citizens, gives them full access to resources, and promotes equal treatment and opportunity. Works to eliminate all forms of discrimination. Engages all its citizens in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Values diversity. Responds quickly to racist and other discriminating incidents."

[This is Lynda Hopkins' post from Thanksgiving posted on Facebook - Barry ]

---

...
• Regional Parks' mission is to provide public access to safe, clean parks and trails. The Community Development Commission is dedicated to creating homes for all in thriving and inclusive neighborhoods. We are committed to working collaboratively with the City of Santa Rosa to address the Joe Rodota Trail encampment and homelessness within our shared jurisdiction.

[M/M]

Maybe the combination of your posts got at least some temporary help...

It was Supervisor Zane who made announcement today. She sounded almost defensive about this 'emergency' measure - to relocate homeless along Joe Rodota trail to So Co Fairgrounds. It sounded
like it was only for cold and rainy weather, not certain about that.

The plan is to use the horse stalls at the Fairgrounds... NO IDEA what they're like. There'll be portable toilets,
showers, counselors available, and 24/7 security....

[Barry]

2 more homeless articles in PD



Supreme Court lets stand ruling that protects homeless people who sleep on public land

and

County proposes robust emergency measures to address homeless crisis

MARTIN ESPINOZA
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT December 14, 2019, 8:37PM

County officials are set to unveil Tuesday a set of emergency measures aimed at addressing the homeless crisis that has spilled into public view along the Joe Rodota Trail and elsewhere, including the possible creation of short-term indoor and outdoor shelters at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

The measures — all potential options at this point — are being hailed as the most robust steps taken by local officials to house some of the county’s 3,000 homeless people. The steps are in some ways inspired by recent emergency responses to natural disasters such as wildfires and floods.

The proposals will be presented before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

“During the Kincade fire we were able to mobilize a massive response — we need that level of response to the homeless crisis,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose district includes the Joe Rodota Trail between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol. “We need to wake up and treat it like the crisis is it.”

Hopkins called the proposals “revolutionary for Sonoma County” and an attempt to break from a previous pattern of shutting down homeless encampments and offering only temporary shelter, pushing the problem to some other location in the county.

“We declared an emergency a year and a half ago, but we didn’t treat it like an emergency,” she said.

County officials said one of the main goals of the emergency measures is finding a safer, temporary location for as many as 185 people currently living in tents along the Joe Rodota Trail, between Stony Point and Wright roads. The camp includes more than 100 tents and shelters and has become a humanitarian crisis. It is now considered by many to be the largest homeless camp Santa Rosa has known.

One of the options being proposed is to set up this month a temporary indoor and outdoor shelter at the county fairgrounds for those currently living on the trail and others. Officials said the shelter would have 24/7 security, on-site supervision and screening and medical and mental health support services.

Geoffrey Ross, executive directer of the county Community Development Commission, which is presenting the proposals to supervisors, said the pilot shelter at the fairgrounds would be zero tolerance for on-site drug use but that people would not be turned away if they were under the influence upon entering.

Ross said the “outdoor” portion of the emergency shelter would be an area where people could hang out, lie down, rest and be comfortably sheltered, as some people cannot handle barracks-style indoor shelters. They would be given access to water, sanitation, electricity, social services and heat.

The other proposals include:

• Expanding available “rapid-rehousing” opportunities using local dollars. The program, which provides immediate rental assistance aimed at getting the most vulnerable homeless people off the street, uses federal funds.
• Establishing safe camping and parking sites using county property and potential partners such as religious organizations or private property owners.
• Expanding efforts to reunify families, potentially reaching as many as 30 people currently living on the Joe Rodota Trail.
• Subsidizing stays at public or private campgrounds for those who decline service and prefer to camp. This would include group and small tent sites.
• *Using several multiple bedroom homes or apartments to house groups of people who have formed family-like bonds while living in encampments. This allows communities formed on the streets to remain intact.

[Goat Rock Ukulele]

"One of the options being proposed is to set up this month a temporary indoor and outdoor shelter at the county fairgrounds for those currently living on the trail and others. Officials said the shelter would have 24/7 security, on-site supervision and screening and medical and mental health support services."

Exactly what most of these folks don't want. Most want someplace where they will be left to do their own thing, not be policed, or on-site supervised, screened or mental health messed with. Now take that giant field east of the fair grounds and let people do their thing. Most of that field is never used even during the fair. Then spend that nearly half million on 200 to 300 Home Depot sheds. They will deliver them free. You can put out toilets. Let folks pitch tents set up tipis and pull in rvs and call it good. You can offer all the services you want in one of the buildings at the fair grounds.

We have to face the fact we are turning into a third world country. The rich have everything and the middle is dying out. Add the closure of all the mental hospitals by Regan and this is a complete mess and only going to get worse. In the 60s you could walk into a mental hospital an get treatment for mental illness or addiction free of charge. The least we can do is put aside some public land for shanty towns. There is nothing wrong with living in a decent tent. My parents and older siblings did it for more than a year when they built their house in Petaluma. I don't see anything wrong with letting the folks who have set up shelters of one sort or another on the trail to stay there if they want. It seems cruel to move them all over the the fair grounds and them run them out in the summer.