County’s homeless count understates Valley problem

The official 2017 homeless count just released by Sonoma County shows a two percent county-wide reduction in the number of homeless, but the count within Sonoma Valley has actually increased, according to the executive director of the Valley’s only homeless shelter.

In 2016, 21 homeless people were counted in the city of Sonoma; in 2017 the number rose to 91, said Kathy King of Sonoma Overnight Support. In the unincorporated areas, primarily in the Springs, the homeless count rose from 65 to 98.

“And the numbers are growing,”King said.

One reason for such a dramatic increase was a change in the methodology used to count the homeless. Even so, the rising number is troublesome.

This year’s count shows that our homeless population is aging. Nine percent are over 61 and another 20 percent are between the ages of 51 to 60. Currently in the SOS shelter, all the women are over 55 and the men are just slightly younger.

“The main obstacle for the homeless, of course, is the lack of affordable housing,” King said. According to the report, 71 percent of the homeless cannot afford to pay current rents.

“The reality is that homelessness is a major issue in Sonoma and Sonoma Valley just as it is in much of our country.”

This problem cannot be solved solely by local nonprofits, King said. “We also need the concerted efforts of the city and county, members of faith communities, and other compassionate individuals to join in creating both short-term responses and long-term solutions.”

“Our most vulnerable neighbors deserve our care,” she said.

This year’s count also shows that the local homeless population is aging. Nine percent are over 61 and another 20 percent are between the ages of 51 to 60. Currently, in the SOS shelter, all the women are over 55 and the men are just slightly younger.

The increased accuracy of this year’s count was based on adopting a more “rural” strategy.

“In our area the homeless tend to avoid being counted,” King said. “They hide in encampments, under bridges, in the parks or couch surf on the day of the count.”

Having some of SOS clients serve as guides increased accessibility to other homeless who were likely missed in previous counts, King said.

Other changes to the census included a later starting time, better training for counters and their homeless guides, and the opportunity to review the area maps prior to the count, King said.