County approves tiny homes shelter project, seeks community partnerships for fundraising opportunities

September 7, 2018

SOLANO COUNTY – On Tuesday, August 28 the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a pilot project to house some Vacaville homeless in Tuff Shed tiny home shelters located on County property adjacent to the William J. Carroll center on Brown Street.

District 5 Supervisor Skip Thomson is leading the coordinated effort, bringing together, with the County Administrator, several County Departments and local organizations. County Health and Social Services and the Veteran Service Office will be part of the outreach services to tenants on an individual case basis. Services will include mental health and substance abuse services, access to veteran benefit programs and other support systems intended to stabilize tenants for permanent housing and employment.

The Board approved the concept of five tiny shelters to be constructed as part of the pilot program.  These shelters will house up to ten individuals. The site will include privacy and security fencing, an on-site resident host, with trash and port-o-john bathroom facilities provided by Recology.  Fundraising efforts are underway to secure other site services and improvements including a shower trailer, meeting / service space, and facilities for their pets.

The tiny shelter pilot project will use a "housing first" low barrier model.  Tenants do not have to be sober or receiving any treatment services before they enter the tiny shelters program, however, they will be required to participate once they are placed.  They will be evaluated every 30 days to ensure they are following site rules and are meeting their treatment program goals for stabilization.

A community fundraising campaign has begun.  The intent of the fundraising effort is to provide for the pilot project start-up and operational needs and to minimize the impact on the County General Fund.  At this time, private partner donations include Community Action North Bay, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Recology, Paul and Stephanie Yoder, De La Torre Trucking and the Vacaville faith based community. Community partners include the Vacaville Police Department, Solano County Workforce Development Board, There's a Better Way, and St. Vincent de Paul

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AVAILABLE, CALL TO ACTION
Anyone interested in making a monetary or in-kind contribution of supplies is encouraged to do so.  Please visit https://www.gofundme.com/acm8w2-tiny-homes-for-homeless or the Vacaville tiny home transitional housing project at http://a.co/dyHvKG0 to make a contribution.