Supervisors Discuss Options For Joe Rodota Trail Tent-Dwellers

SANTA ROSA, CA — UPDATED: Sonoma County Supervisors Tuesday heard a host of proposals to house within the next three months nearly 200 homeless people currently camping on a popular bike and pedestrian trail on county-owned land in Santa Rosa. The suggestions came from the county's Community Development Commission, the Department of Health Services and two-dozen people who spoke during the nearly three-hour hearing.

The list of options include housing the homeless in an indoor/outdoor shelter at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, several small buildings that served as shelters during the 2017 and 2019 wildfires, safe parking areas on county property, at churches, private and public properties and campgrounds, in recreation vehicles, trailers and two or three sites capable of accommodating 15-20 people at each location.

The housing must have access to running water, sanitary facilities, electricity and connections to services that are flexible and promote safety, dignity, autonomy and respect, Geoffrey Ross, the Community Development Commission's executive director said in his report to the supervisors.

Several speakers told the supervisors many of the Joe Rodota Trail campers do not want to be in a shelter because they have formed communities and are looking out for one another.

"We call ourselves Camp Rebel because that's how the community feels about us. It's us versus them. You're less because you don't have a home. People are upset and angry because we're visible, one speaker said.

Other speakers said there have been sexual assaults on the trail, and only recently were portable toilets brought to the site.

Supervisor Shirlee Zane said she doesn't want the trail campers to be moved to another large location.

"I favor smaller sites than the fairgrounds," Zane said.

She said a small exhibit hall at the fairgrounds could be used if it's secure and has showers.

Supervisor Susan Gorin said some of the trail campers have moved to other sites in the county because of safety concerns, and one woman in a shelter recognized a man there who had sexually assaulted her.

"There's reasons why people don't want to be in a shelter," Gorin said.

Supervisor James Gore said the county has a history of rousting campers.

"Displacement doesn't work. My biggest concern is inaction. We've already achieved the worst. We have to embrace the mess right now. It's time to make us feel uncomfortable," Gore said.

Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, whose west county district includes the trail between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, was near tears when she heard people were defecating into plastic bags.

"And there have been rapes and assaults. People need their dignity," Hopkins said.

"Something special happened here today. We're working together and exploring funding options. We're working 24/7 on this. Let's think outside the box and move quickly," Hopkins added.

Supervisors approved a declaration of emergency and directed county staff to return to a special unscheduled board meeting Monday morning with more information on the emergency measures to address the homeless situation not only on the Joe Rodota Trail but elsewhere in the county.

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