Sonoma County secures housing for vulnerable homeless individuals

Today the Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of Hotel Azura in Santa Rosa using $7.95 million in funds supplied by the state through the Project Homekey program. Sonoma County’s procurement of Hotel Azura will provide additional temporary housing for vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness. Sonoma County expects to close escrow next week and proceed with converting Hotel Azura into interim housing, using Project Homekey funds secured by the County earlier this year from the State of California.  

Hotel Azura offers 44 recently remodeled rooms located in the center of Santa Rosa, with the capacity to accommodate 66 individuals.  

 “Adding Hotel Azura into our housing portfolio will give us the opportunity to bring more of our COVID-19 vulnerable individuals who are experiencing homelessness into supportive housing, with a path to permanent housing,” said Chair of the Board of Supervisors Susan Gorin. ”I applaud the state for helping counties pursue housing that truly meets people’s needs, with supportive services and access to grocery stores, medical services and transportation.” Individuals experiencing homelessness who are most vulnerable to COVID-19 will have priority access to this housing resource.  

Individuals housed at these hotels will participate in the county’s ACCESS (Accessing Coordinated Care to Empower Self Sufficiency) Initiative. The ACCESS Initiative is an innovative program that provides individualized, integrated services to individuals experiencing homelessness based on their needs and supports. These services span county and community programs to provide wraparound and holistic care and interventions, which are critical to improving individuals’ well-being and self-sufficiency. Services include primary healthcare, behavioral health services and supports, economic assistance, food assistance, employment training and other services. These resources and services are key determinants of successful housing placement and the permanency of these placements. 

The Board of Supervisors additionally approved the purchase of the Sebastopol Inn today, pending funding from the State. Due to the large number of applications to the State for Project Homekey, the Sebastopol Inn application is currently on the State's Waitlist for funding.  

Governor Newsom announced Project Homekey in June, and in July made $600 million in funding available. Of that, $550 million has been provided to cities and counties by California’s direct allocation of the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief Funds, with an additional $50 million provided by the state to supplement the acquisition and provide initial operating funds. 

To learn more about the Project Homekey funded projects, please visit bcsh.ca.gov/homekey.