Sonoma County’s Measure O is hitting its five-year milestone with a glowing report card on local mental health and homelessness services. According to a new report presented to the Board of Supervisors, the voter-approved sales tax generated over $33 million last year, significantly expanding the county’s reach for those in crisis.
The funding has fueled a massive shift in how the county handles emergencies, with mobile crisis teams responding to more than 22,000 calls—most of which were resolved without needing police. The measure also successfully brought mental health services back to 16 local high schools after a six-year hiatus, connecting over a hundred students directly to care.
Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo says the investment is delivering “tangible results” in dignity and stability for the county’s most vulnerable residents. With five years left in its initial term, officials say the goal is to continue moving people out of encampments and into permanent supportive housing.
