The leaves are finally turning and rainy weather is upon us - it's fall! Fall also marks the start of our season of celebration, and I always look forward to the ways our community decorates our residences, businesses, and public spaces, be it for Halloween, Día de los Muertos, Christmas, or for any reason at all! A community member recently sent me this stunning photo of El Molino Central in the Springs. Public art is such a wonderful way to express our identities, cultures, and creativity, and I hope to feature more in my newsletter going forward.

As always, please continue reading for updates, announcements, and community news.

Free holiday parking at Regional Parks for veterans and active-duty military - In appreciation of their service, veterans, active-duty military and their families can receive free parking at all Sonoma County Regional Parks on the Veterans Day holiday weekend.

Veterans, military members and family are eligible for a special pass that waives the $7 day-use parking fee from Friday, Nov. 10, through Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. They can obtain the parking pass in advance at one of the following locations by showing a valid military identification card, a Veterans Affairs card, a veteran’s identification card or an honorable discharge record. Sonoma County residency is not required. Continue reading the press release for more information.

Sonoma County Housing Element Certified - The County of Sonoma’s Housing Element has been certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, signifying the County’s compliance with State Housing Element law. Certification makes the County eligible for considerable grants and state funding opportunities to support affordable housing. Sonoma County and its nine cities are the first subregion in the Bay Area to be fully certified. Continue reading the press release for more information.

Mobilehome Park Space Rent Stabilization - The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 24th voted to limit annual rent increases at mobile home parks in unincorporated areas to no more than 4 percent or 70 percent of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. The amendments to the mobile home ordinance bring Sonoma County’s policy in line with recent updates passed by cities in the county. 

The amendments, which will be adopted upon a second reading scheduled for Nov. 7, would also allow a mobile home park owner to raise a rent up to 5 percent when ownership of an on-site mobile home changes ownership. Currently, the county caps annual increases at 6 percent or 100 percent of annual CPI, whichever is less. The county also does not have any limits on increases when a mobile home changes owners. The ordinance, if adopted on a second reading on Nov. 7, would take effect 30 days later.

Continue reading the press release for more information.

ReCoverCA Housing Programs - The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has launched its ReCoverCA Housing Programs for those affected by 2020 disasters. ReCoverCA administers HUD CDBG-DR funds to assist with owner-occupied single-family rehabilitation, reconstruction, and disaster mitigation for low- to moderate-income homeowners in counties impacted by FEMA-declared disasters in 2020 and identified as most impacted and distressed (MID) areas by HUD and HCD. 

If you or someone you know lost their single-family home or manufactured housing unit in a 2020 disaster or has mitigation or home-hardening needs on their property, please help us spread the word about ReCoverCA Housing Programs. Homeowners may be eligible for up to $500,000 to help rebuild, depending on unique housing needs. Some homeowners may also qualify for up to $50,000 for mitigation assistance, even if the home sustained no damage from the disasters. 

More information about the program, including how to apply and eligibility details, is available on the ReCoverCA website below.

Springs MAC - Join the Springs Municipal Advisory Council on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 8th at 6:30pm.

North Sonoma Valley MAC - Join the NSV MAC on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 12th at 5:30pm.

Sonoma Valley Citizen's Advisory Committee - The Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission advises on local planning projects in the Sonoma Valley, and hears informational items on other areas of interest. Join the SVCAC on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 29th at 6:30pm.