Grand Opening of the Palms Inn

On June 11, 2016 Supervisor Zane, Catholic Charities and Akash Kalia, owner of Palms Inn, will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Palms Inn, a place of permanent supportive housing for homeless veterans and people in need. This former motel is now fully converted into permanent housing for veterans and vulnerable persons currently experiencing homelessness. The Palms Inn was opened to its first residents in February with 104 rooms and is now full.

Securing and retaining housing in Sonoma County is an ongoing initiative outlined in the Sonoma County General Plan 2020 Housing Element. The Palms Inn provides housing for up to 208 veterans and vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness, with an on-site meeting room for services provided through Sonoma County Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST), Catholic Charities, and the Veterans Administration of Sonoma County. This project has converted 104 existing hotel rooms to efficiency dwelling units within a large single room occupancy facility on an approximately 6.3-acre site.

Sonoma County has prioritized the creation of additional housing, including through innovative policies to encourage the conversion of existing motels to single room occupancy facilities and allow homeless shelters and similar housing models in most zoning districts. The hotel's existing management facilities will be used as offices for service providers such as the Veterans Administration and Catholic Charities to provide essential services and case management to residents. The project's core service providers, the Veterans Administration and Catholic Charities, have worked for more than a year to engage necessary resources and develop the comprehensive proposal required to bring the project forward.

"This amazing effort will increase the health and safety of an extremely vulnerable segment of the Sonoma County population," says Third District Supervisor Shirlee Zane. "By providing housing and increased access to services for up to 208 veterans and vulnerable persons currently experiencing homelessness we are improving and saving lives!"

This event is open to the Press.
Guest speakers include:
Congressman Mike Thompson Supervisor Shirlee Zane, Sonoma County, Third District
Tours of the Palms Inn will follow
When:
Saturday, June 11, 2016
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Where:
The Palms Inn 3345 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95407