From: "Katrina Phillips, CHR" <[email protected]>
Subject: Palms Inn Press Release
Date: February 20, 2023 at 5:25:32 PM PST
To: K Phillips <[email protected]>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights [email protected]
Sonoma County, Calif. — February 20, 2023
Residents, Advocates and Community Leaders Demand an end to Deaths at the Palms Inn
Homeless advocates and community leaders have announced a memorial and march on Monday March 13th at 10:00 am from Prince Gateway Park to Santa Rosa’s Palms Inn, and invite the community to participate.
Residents say the Palms Inn, Santa Rosa's premiere permanent supportive housing model, has become a site of sickness and death, with claims that over 80 residents have perished from a lack of services and medical care, aspergillus mold exposure, and violence; the most recent tragedy being the murder of Will Woodard on December 13th.
Residents and advocates cite multiple factors for deplorable on site conditions. These include failure to adequately respond to security, sanitary and health issues by the Palms Inn owner Akash Kalia and management; a lack of adequate case management by Catholic Charities; the lack of a secure perimeter despite repeated requests; a failure by security and law enforcement to respond to emergency incidents in a timely manner; and lack of oversight at the city and county level. "Without oversight, accountability and complete transparency from those receiving funding to aid and shelter the homeless, the diminishing of services will continue while individuals and entities like the Palms Inn and Catholic Charities profit handsomely on the backs of their clients,” says Ka’Lane Raposa, former Palms Inn resident and advocate.
Residents have reported a climate of intimidation from the resident manager; being threatened with lease violations and eviction, and describe deteriorating health conditions from several factors including unhealthy water quality, a lack of adequate ventilation, and repeated exposure to pest treatment that doesn't resolve the problem. Residents are demanding transparency on funding received for each unit from federal, state and local sources; and complain of large damage deposits, yet little to no repairs. With Catholic Charities receiving a majority of funding for homelessness case management, along with $5 million from Je Bezos for the new Caritas Center, community leaders are asking why the Palms Inn is allowed to fester and remain a place where people are unsafe, and at risk of dying. Says Raposa, “On average one Palms Inn resident dies every 27.5 days. It's an alarming statistic that goes largely unnoticed or is outright ignored."
At the same time, residents have expressed fear that speaking up about these issues may cause them to be returned to homelessness without a tangible plan to address long standing problems at the Palms Inn. Nevertheless, a coalition of residents have sought to share their experiences with the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, in the hopes their voices can help improve conditions. Some of those coming forward have reported intimidation from sta or have been told not to speak to the Commission.
Heather Jackson, Executive Director of Sonoma County Acts of Kindness says, "Having spent a good amount of time bringing meals, supplies & support to residents at The Palms, it's a shame to hear so many residents feeling unsafe and unsupported in a place that is deemed permanent supportive housing. This is a travesty."
Advocates say human rights and personal safety for residents should be a top priority of the city and the county. With studies showing the average lifespan of an unsheltered person is reduced by up to 20 years or more, event organizers say they can’t wait for another person to die at the Palms Inn for action to finally be taken. “Every person at the Palms Inn is someone’s daughter, son, sister, brother,” says Katrina Phillips, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights. “They’re human beings and deserve to be treated as such.” Organizers will meet at Prince Gateway Park in Santa Rosa at 10:00 am on Monday, March 13th to memorialize the lives lost, and will march to the Palms Inn at 3345 Santa Rosa Avenue. The event is supported by the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County NAACP, Sonoma County Acts of Kindness, Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, Love and Light, and the Center for People’s Power.
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Subject: Palms Inn Press Release
Date: February 20, 2023 at 5:25:32 PM PST
To: K Phillips <[email protected]>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights [email protected]
Sonoma County, Calif. — February 20, 2023
Residents, Advocates and Community Leaders Demand an end to Deaths at the Palms Inn
Homeless advocates and community leaders have announced a memorial and march on Monday March 13th at 10:00 am from Prince Gateway Park to Santa Rosa’s Palms Inn, and invite the community to participate.
Residents say the Palms Inn, Santa Rosa's premiere permanent supportive housing model, has become a site of sickness and death, with claims that over 80 residents have perished from a lack of services and medical care, aspergillus mold exposure, and violence; the most recent tragedy being the murder of Will Woodard on December 13th.
Residents and advocates cite multiple factors for deplorable on site conditions. These include failure to adequately respond to security, sanitary and health issues by the Palms Inn owner Akash Kalia and management; a lack of adequate case management by Catholic Charities; the lack of a secure perimeter despite repeated requests; a failure by security and law enforcement to respond to emergency incidents in a timely manner; and lack of oversight at the city and county level. "Without oversight, accountability and complete transparency from those receiving funding to aid and shelter the homeless, the diminishing of services will continue while individuals and entities like the Palms Inn and Catholic Charities profit handsomely on the backs of their clients,” says Ka’Lane Raposa, former Palms Inn resident and advocate.
Residents have reported a climate of intimidation from the resident manager; being threatened with lease violations and eviction, and describe deteriorating health conditions from several factors including unhealthy water quality, a lack of adequate ventilation, and repeated exposure to pest treatment that doesn't resolve the problem. Residents are demanding transparency on funding received for each unit from federal, state and local sources; and complain of large damage deposits, yet little to no repairs. With Catholic Charities receiving a majority of funding for homelessness case management, along with $5 million from Je Bezos for the new Caritas Center, community leaders are asking why the Palms Inn is allowed to fester and remain a place where people are unsafe, and at risk of dying. Says Raposa, “On average one Palms Inn resident dies every 27.5 days. It's an alarming statistic that goes largely unnoticed or is outright ignored."
At the same time, residents have expressed fear that speaking up about these issues may cause them to be returned to homelessness without a tangible plan to address long standing problems at the Palms Inn. Nevertheless, a coalition of residents have sought to share their experiences with the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, in the hopes their voices can help improve conditions. Some of those coming forward have reported intimidation from sta or have been told not to speak to the Commission.
Heather Jackson, Executive Director of Sonoma County Acts of Kindness says, "Having spent a good amount of time bringing meals, supplies & support to residents at The Palms, it's a shame to hear so many residents feeling unsafe and unsupported in a place that is deemed permanent supportive housing. This is a travesty."
Advocates say human rights and personal safety for residents should be a top priority of the city and the county. With studies showing the average lifespan of an unsheltered person is reduced by up to 20 years or more, event organizers say they can’t wait for another person to die at the Palms Inn for action to finally be taken. “Every person at the Palms Inn is someone’s daughter, son, sister, brother,” says Katrina Phillips, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights. “They’re human beings and deserve to be treated as such.” Organizers will meet at Prince Gateway Park in Santa Rosa at 10:00 am on Monday, March 13th to memorialize the lives lost, and will march to the Palms Inn at 3345 Santa Rosa Avenue. The event is supported by the Santa Rosa-Sonoma County NAACP, Sonoma County Acts of Kindness, Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights, Love and Light, and the Center for People’s Power.
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