Sonoma County officials are concerned that potential federal budget cuts could undermine the progress made in reducing homelessness.
During a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, officials shared the results of the county’s annual homeless survey, which showed a 23% decrease in the homeless population from last year—the lowest count in two decades. The survey found 1,952 people experiencing homelessness, with a significant part of the decrease attributed to the addition of more permanent housing beds.
Despite this progress, health officials warned that upcoming federal budget decisions could jeopardize funding for critical programs, like housing vouchers. According to the county’s Health Services Director, Nolan Sullivan, any cuts to these programs could be devastating for the 20,000 people in the county who rely on transitional support or voucher-based housing.
Officials noted that even with the overall decrease, the survey showed an increase in the number of chronically homeless people and homeless families.
