Solving Obstacles for Unsheltered Lives Team (SOUL)

The Solving Obstacles for Unsheltered Lives (SOUL) team is part of Sonoma County's Homelessness Services Division. It provides intensive case management to guide individuals as they move from temporary county shelters into permanent housing. This process begins after the county's Homeless Encampment Assistance and Resource Team connects unhoused individuals with temporary shelters. SOUL staff support clients in maintaining housing and addressing underlying issues such as mental health issues and substance abuse. 

The SOUL team helps clients with a wide range of needs, from finding housing and managing benefits to connecting them with substance use programs and mental health providers. They offer specialized support for young adults aged 18-24 (transition-aged youth) and have a hospital navigator who assists clients in finding recuperation shelters after a hospital stay. The team includes experts from the Sonoma County Community Development Commission for housing navigation and the Sonoma County Human Services Department, who are skilled in navigating programs like Medi-cal, CalFresh, General Assistance, and SonomaWORKS.

The SOUL team assists clients with tasks such as obtaining identification, addressing old debts, and conducting a housing search. Through partnerships with community organizations, the program helps ensure a smooth transition for clients into long-term, stable housing.