New Bridge Housing Facility To Open In Sonoma County

SONOMA COUNTY, CA— The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a $5 million contract Tuesday to operate a facility that helps people with complex behavioral health conditions transition out of homelessness.

The Bridge Housing program, funded by a $11 million state grant awarded to Sonoma County's Department of Health Services Behavioral Health Division, opens Feb. 3 at a renovated facility on Arrowood Drive in Santa Rosa.

The 25,000-square-foot location has 43 bedrooms and can house up to 80 clients, with 20 beds dedicated for use by clients from Marin County.

"This is an important move forward to address homelessness in Sonoma County, particularly among individuals with serious mental health issues who have been among the hardest to help," said Supervisor Chris Coursey. “The County is committed to ensuring that this program effectively treats and then transitions that population into permanent housing.”

In 2022, the State Department of Health Care Services established and funded the Bridge Housing program to assist counties and tribal entities in addressing the immediate housing and treatment needs of homeless individuals with serious behavioral health conditions, such as serious mental illness and/or substance abuse disorder.

To facilitate the launch and operation of the Sonoma County facility, the Board authorized an agreement not to exceed $5.03 million with social services provider Felton Institute, which also manages the Crossroads to Hope program. The contract is through June 30, 2027.

Unlike traditional shelters, Bridge Housing at Arrowood is an interim recovery facility providing temporary housing and access to critical 24/7 medical and clinical support.

The CARE Court Connection

Priority for treatment at Bridge Housing at Arrowood will be given to people participating in the CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment) Court program, which started Dec. 1 in Sonoma County. CARE Court creates a new pathway for delivering services—such as substance use treatment, housing, and support—to people with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Through the CARE Court program, the county aims to divert people from more restrictive situations, such as hospitalizations, incarcerations, and conservatorships. It preserves their self-determination to the greatest extent possible to aid them in the ultimate transition to permanent housing.

"By prioritizing CARE Court clients, Bridge Housing at Arrowood will provide the structured support needed to help individuals regain stability and independence and ensure that those with the most significant needs are served first," said Jan Cobaleda-Kegler, director of the county's Behavioral Health Division.

Any community member with a working knowledge of a person and their condition, including family members, behavioral health professionals, first respondents and more, may file a petition to have the person screened for CARE Court.