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Santa Rosa to launch Keep People Housed Sonoma pilot with $3.9 million in funding
Summary
City staff described a regionally coordinated homelessness‑prevention pilot, Keep People Housed (KPH), funded by local match and All Home. The program pairs rapid flexible financial assistance with stabilization services, launches Dec. 16 and will be delivered locally by Committee on the Shelterless and Community Support Network.
City staff briefed the Santa Rosa City Council Wednesday on Keep People Housed Sonoma (KPH), a two‑year homelessness prevention pilot that pairs rapid flexible financial assistance with housing stabilization services and legal‑aid referrals for households at highest risk of becoming unhoused.
Sasha Brown, program specialist with Housing and Community Services, told the council the city partnered with County of Sonoma and City of Petaluma to provide a local match of $1.3 million; the Bay‑area nonprofit All Home contributed $2.6 million, producing $3.9 million in combined funding for the two‑year pilot.
Brown said the program uses an online application platform built by Bay Area Community Services that scores applications by risk factors (ZIP code, household composition, health issues, disabilities, age, and history of homelessness, incarceration or eviction), and prioritizes rapid, flexible one‑time assistance such as rent, utilities, deposits and limited crisis‑related costs. “KPH is a proven, effective and efficient program, and in Sonoma County, we'll aim to prevent 350 to 400 households from falling into homelessness over the next two years,” she said. Brown told council that Committee on the Shelterless (COTS) is the lead agency for KPH Sonoma, with Community Support Network (CSN) serving as the local provider for the Santa Rosa subregion; the council previously approved a $1.3 million grant agreement with COTS in August.
Staff said eligibility requires living in Sonoma County, recent financial hardship and income at or below 50% of area median income. The online platform ranks applicants by evidence‑based risk measures to ensure limited funds reach households at the highest risk. Brown reiterated the launch date: “KPH is launching Monday, December 16th. Individuals and families interested in receiving assistance can visit keeppeoplehoused.org to learn more and apply.”
Councilmembers offered no questions during the briefing; staff said COTS and CSN will operate the program locally and that the online platform will drive prioritization. Staff also noted national research cited in the presentation showing that prevention programs generally cost far less per household than moving a household out of unsheltered homelessness.
Staff said they will return as the pilot is implemented with performance metrics and periodic reports to council.
