Site
Until now, there have been no interim housing or shelter options available in the City of Rohnert Park. In the first year alone, the 60 rooms at Labath Landing will have the capacity to serve over 100 people experiencing homelessness in the City. That’s nearly ⅓ of the people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the City! Each room has a bed, a desk and chair, heating and air conditioning, a window, and most importantly a door that locks. The site has been thoughtfully designed by Gensler to create a welcoming community and foster a sense of belonging. The community also includes case manager offices, extensive dining and community spaces, a computer lab, pet area, community gardens, and ample storage for residents’ belongings.
Services
With over 40 years of experience, HomeFirst practices Housing First and harm reduction models of service. They provide meals, case management and other support services to the residents. One important contribution we made was introducing HomeFirst Services to Rohnert Park. There was not a local supportive services agency with the capacity to partner on this project, so we helped find others to fill that gap. This was another addition to the DignityMoves value proposition; we can help cities bring additional agencies to their region. Now HomeFirst is operating other programs for the city and expanding more broadly in Sonoma County.
Community
The site is located on a small road lined with several hotels, understandably raising neighborhood concerns. The city hosted weekly meetings with the neighbors to answer questions and get feedback on site plans, landscaping, and the supportive services program. At the Grand Opening ceremony, Mayor Jackie Elward broke down in tears. Between sobs she exclaimed that this was the proudest moment of her life. Many of the residents had been sleeping in an encampment at nearby Roberts Lake. The day before move-in day, a few came to preview their rooms. The looks on their faces were incredulous; that night they would sleep in 30-degree weather and the next morning move into their own warm room with a door that locks.