Homeless services providers urge Sonoma County to backfill NOFA cuts; West County program seeks ongoing funding

Several local homeless‑services providers used the budget workshop public‑comment period to ask the county to address a looming funding shortfall from recent federal and local NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability) allocations.

COTS, a countywide shelter and homeless‑services provider, told the board a $1.7 million reduction in available local NOFA funding resulted in a 17.4% cut to existing programs. Chris Cabral, COTS chief executive, asked the county to provide $831,493.31 to prevent immediate service losses, and provided a detailed list of impacts countywide if funds are not restored: the providers warned the cuts would eliminate 47 shelter beds, 23 rapid‑rehousing placements, 12 permanent supportive housing units, 5,500 hours of outreach, 15 home‑share placements, shorter drop‑in center hours at Caritas (two hours earlier daily) and a loss of 11 full‑time equivalent staff positions across the system. COTS said a county allocation of $831,493.31 would avoid most of those cuts, reducing the worst impacts to only three rapid‑rehousing placements and three FTEs.

West County Community Services (WCS) also presented results from a peer‑based Transitions into Housing pilot launched with ARPA funds. WCS leaders reported outcome data they said demonstrates cost savings and durable housing outcomes: among those who completed a full year of the peer program, the agency reported 100% housing stability, 62% of completers taking a “positive housing step” (for example moving from homeless to shelter or shelter to permanent housing), and a reduction in use of emergency and detention resources equivalent to nearly $200,000 in avoided costs for county systems. WCS asked the county to identify funding to sustain the peer program once ARPA funds end in August.

Why it matters: Providers said reduced NOFA allocations threaten beds, case management capacity and outreach at a time of persistent homelessness in Sonoma County. Several supervisors asked county staff to identify whether existing fund balances — including Measure O or departmental reserves — could be used to bridge shortfalls while staff work with the cities and nonprofit partners to develop a more durable approach.

What the board heard in detail - COTS: $1.7M NOFA loss -> 17.4% cut; requested county backfill $831,493.31 to preserve shelter beds and services; described specific program and staff impacts; asked staff to consider options. - WCS transitions program: Tracked outcomes through ARPA‑funded pilot (pilot launched 2022); for those completing full year: 100% housing stability, 62% positive housing step; WCS argued the program reduces public costs and asked for sustained support when ARPA funds expire.

Next steps: Supervisors asked county budget and Health/Homelessness teams to examine immediate bridging options, and to bring back a recommendation on potential use of one‑time funds or Measure O commitments to avoid a sudden loss of shelter capacity.