What is the City of Sebastopol doing to address homelessness in our community?
What is the City of Sebastopol doing to address homelessness in our community?
January 7, 2025
The City partners with the Sonoma County Health Emergency Assessment & Response Team (H.E.A.R.T.) The program provides trained behavioral-health professionals who work collaboratively with law enforcement to respond to mental health crises, social service needs, and related calls for service. Sonoma County DHS and the City of Sebastopol commenced a partnership pilot program in January 2026 assigning one (1) H.E.A.R.T. personnel to work within and alongside the Sebastopol Police Department, providing in-field response, follow-up case coordination, outreach services, and interagency support. The coordinator routinely contacts our homeless to register them for eligibility for housing, navigation of services, and assessment of needs. The Sebastopol Police Department works with the Outreach Coordinator to assist individuals obtain services The Sebastopol Police Department contacts homeless people daily to gain compliance with laws and we take enforcement action regularly when we observe and encounter individuals who are camping illegally, creating health hazards with illegal dumping, using or possessing illicit narcotics, possessing possible stolen property or any other form of illegal contraband and we pay particular attention to violations with vehicles leaking sewage or other fluids such as anti-freeze, oil or gas that could create a significant health or environmental hazard.
