Keeping People Housed: A Year of Impact in Sonoma County

In October 2024, groundwork began to launch Keep People Housed-Sonoma (KPH), a homelessness prevention program designed to support families across Sonoma County. One year later, the results are in-and they're powerful.

A Look at Year One

In its first year, KPH received 1,857 applications and provided direct financial assistance to 245 households, helping 610 individuals, including 254 children and 356 adults stay in their homes. The program distributed a total of $702,612 in aid, with an average of $3,029 per household. Beyond financial support, KPH facilitated 400 referrals to legal aid, ensuring families had access to critical resources to maintain housing stability.

Diverse Communities Served

KPH served households from a wide range of racial and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the inclusive reach of the program and its commitment to equity in housing support. Of those assisted, 44% identified as Hispanic or Latina/e/o, 37% as White, 11% as Black or African American, 3% as American Indian or Alaska Native, 2% as Asian, 2% as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 1% preferred not to disclose their race or ethnicity.

Why Prevention Matters

Homelessness prevention is not only compassionate, but also cost-effective. Keeping families housed is significantly less expensive than helping them recover after losing their homes. Once a family loses their home, they also lose the safety, stability, and hope that a home provides.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Safety Net

The Keep People Housed program, led by Committee on the Shelterless (COTS), is made possible with funding from the County of Sonoma, the City of Santa Rosa, the City of Petaluma, and the Bay Area nonprofit All Home. This collaborative funding has allowed KPH to build a robust referral network, connecting families with both public and private agencies across the county. With continued support and strong partnerships, KPH is committed to keeping families in their homes and hope alive in Sonoma County.

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