Sonoma County Task Force For The Homeless

ADVOCACY & FUNDING COMMITTEE

The objectives for the combined Advocacy & Funding Committee are:

to work for adequate operational funding for homeless services in Sonoma County.
to advocate more affordable housing and adequate homeless services as identified by the Task Force and the Continuum of Care.

We are using our energies on the following specific actions to achieve those goals.

We advocate:

for shelter and services with a focus on unmet needs.
for affordable housing throughout Sonoma County, with a specific request that a portion of that housing be made available and affordable for extremely low income people, e.g. those on SSI.
for living wages so that people can afford to live in Sonoma County.
for emergency shelter for those who cannot or will not meet the standards of most programs.

We participate in dialog with others:

to optimize the use of existing funding and services.
to maximize operational funding for homeless services.
to help direct funding to priority operational gaps.
to further mutual goals.

We provide advocacy and public testimony:

for issues relating to homelessness and affordable housing.
for projects that provide needed shelter and services.

We provide moneys from the Fund for the Homeless

to recognize exemplary service in the provider community.
to recognize community leaders who support homeless issues.
to fill unmet homeless service needs.

SAFE OVERNIGHT PARKING PROJECT COMMITTEE

This ad hoc committee of the Task Force is working with our Advocacy and Funding Committee to develop safe alternatives for homeless people who live in their vehicle but currently have no legal or safe place to park. They are examining related programs from around the country and meeting with law enforcement, homeless people, and others to determine the most practical and effective course of action.