Thompson and Huffman Announce Disaster Funding for Housing in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties

Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that the Counties of Sonoma and Mendocino and the City of Santa Rosa will receive nearly $3.5 million in Housing and Urban Development funding for public housing agencies impacted by the 2017 wildfires. Thompson and Huffman advocated for this funding, made available through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which they both supported. Sonoma County plans to utilize this funding to provide housing to 180 local families. Mendocino County will use the funds to provide rental assistance for 130 families across the county. The City of Santa Rosa will use these funds to provide housing for 40 low-income families still struggling to afford a place to live after last year's fires.

"Ensuring our communities still recovering from last year's fires have access to affordable housing is a critical piece of our efforts to rebuild. We want to ensure everyone has a roof over their heads that they can afford right here in our district," said Thompson. "That's why I am proud to announce today's housing funding that will go directly into our communities to address this key to recovery. I will not stop working to bring home every federal dollar and resource to support our work on the road to rebuild."

"In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that rocked our communities, affordable housing must be readily available for our local families who are struggling to get back on their feet," said Huffman. "I'm glad to see that this vital housing support will finally be allocated to those in need. In the days ahead, I will continue to work with local and federal partners to make sure fire survivors have every resource needed during the long path to recovery."

"This new funding will allow the Sonoma County Housing Authority to house 180 families from our years-long waiting list," explained Sonoma County Board of Supervisor James Gore. "Sonoma County's housing shortage became much more severe in the wake of the fires, and low-income working families and seniors on fixed incomes have struggled to find housing they can afford. The Housing Choice Voucher program helps low income members of our community rent homes in the private market, so every new dollar helps us fill critical needs."

"The devastation of the 2017 wildfires will impact the counties and residents for years to come," said Darcie Antle, Disaster Recovery Finance Director, County of Mendocino. "We are all very appreciative of this funding and wish to extend a special thank you to Rep. Huffman and Rep. Thompson for their continued dedication to help rebuild our communities."

"We are pleased to learn of the additional funding allocation that will help support our City's most vulnerable residents," said Santa Rosa Mayor Chris Coursey. "A year later, some families are still struggling as a result of the fire's devastation to our community, and we need all of the help we can get to make sure each of our residents has a safe and secure place to call home."

You can click here to learn more about this funding.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5^th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force as well as the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.