Working Together Toward Permanent Housing
Lake County Continuum of Care (LCCoC) Supports Residents Experiencing Homelessness
On September 24, 2025, District 2 Supervisor and LCCoC Chair Bruno Sabatier and J. Murdock, Senior Chaplain for Adventist Health Clear Lake and LCCoC Interfaith Committee Chair, led “Homelessness in Lake County: A Community Conversation” at Soper Reese Theatre.
Supervisor Sabatier recognized the lead agency, Lake County Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS), highlighting LCBHS Senior Analyst Melissa Kopf (LCCoC Secretary) and LCBHS Program Manager Scott Abbott (LCCoC Administrative Entity). The event featured an open discussion with providers and residents sharing firsthand experiences.
Supervisor Sabatier explained that the LCCoC brings together agencies and members passionate about helping those experiencing homelessness and finding solutions together. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the Continuum of Care (CoC) in the 1990s to address homelessness, and in 2015, the LCCoC formed separately from the Northern California CoC to focus on Lake County’s needs. The LCCoC does not directly provide services, but funds and partners with providers who do. Every January, the LCCoC conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) count. LCCoC data shows Lake County has one of the smallest increases in homelessness in California.
Most affected are veterans, seniors on fixed incomes, and Native American residents, who are disproportionately represented. The LCCoC has achieved “functional zero” for veterans, a significant milestone, meaning anyone experiencing homelessness can be immediately housed. Of the 1,378 people served by LCCoC programs, 575 (41%) have moved into permanent housing.
The conversation also debunked common myths:
Homelessness is not typically caused by personal choice.
Most do not have mental health or substance use disorders.
Shelters do not attract homelessness.
During this year’s PIT count, 76 volunteers engaged residents experiencing homelessness, including about two dozen still affected by recent fires.
The LCCoC receives $50,000 annually from HUD—if federal funding stops, it would not be detrimental. With strong data collection, Melissa Kopf and Scott Abbott have diligently secured additional funding, including million-dollar state grants. The LCCoC funds and partners with agencies, such as Adventist Health Clear Lake and Redwood Community Services (RCS). Adventist Health operates Project Restoration House for medical recuperation and opened Hope Center in Clearlake with $500,000 from the city. The chart illustrates how LCCoC has allocated $6,066,404.18 since 2018. Approximately $5 million remains unspent, providing flexibility for future projects.
The LCCoC thanks its many partners:
County of Lake
Lake County Office of Education
Robinson Rancheria
LCBHS
City of Lakeport
Department of Health Services
Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians
Department of Social Services
Woodland Community College
Lake County Probation
Department of Veteran Affairs
Nations Finest
RCS
Supporting Bright Futures
Adventist Health Clear Lake
Sunrise Special Services
Solano Women in Medicine
North Coast Opportunities
Mendocino Center of Health Care (MCHC)
American Red Cross
Lake County Community Foundation
The LCCoC also aims to engage Tribal leaders in the future.
Ronnie Duncan, Manager of Community Health Programs at Adventist Health Clearlake, explained the faith-based, nonprofit and integrated health center serves residents through:
Hope Center Transitional Housing
Project Restoration House
Shower Trailer Project
Lake County Community Hub
Substance Use Navigation Program
Community Health Worker Outreach (Housing Tenancy, Housing Navigation and Housing Deposits)
Visit here to learn more, or call the Lake County Community HUB at (707) 900-1307.
From Redwood Community Services (RCS), partners Sage Wolf, Zenia Leyva-Chou, Courtney Hill and Gabby Pinola highlighted the agency’s ongoing collaboration with LCBHS to expand access to safe, stable and affordable permanent housing.
Since 1996, RCS has grown from a children’s services agency into a key community-based organization (CBO) in the LCBHS provider network, delivering a range of housing and supportive services funded by or through LCBHS, including:
Harbor Youth Resource Center
The Nest
Tule House
Pathways Support Services
Xamitin Haven
“Housing is a human right,” emphasized Wolf. Leyva-Chou added, “In 2025, Xamitin served more than 18,000 meals, supported over 200 individuals, and sheltered 126 people—building stronger, more connected communities.”
To learn more, visit RCS online or contact Xamitin Haven at (707) 394-5377.
Maria Petterle, Randall Goodrich and Robert Sexton shared their experiences with services. Supervisor Sabatier honored Holly Hannah, an LCCoC member devoted to supporting youth. Since 2023, 26 people experiencing homelessness have died; attendees held a moment of silence to emphasize that every day matters. Carissa from the Hope Center will organize “Compassion for the Cold” on December 18 at 4:00 p.m. Supervisor Sabatier stressed the need for a full housing continuum, including safe parking, transitional housing with Bright Futures and tiny homes “to provide the softest landing possible.”
Residents may attend LCCoC meetings the first Thursday of each month at 3 p.m.—no membership required. Learn more here.
To watch the presentation, click here.
Through funding, partnerships and community-driven programs, the LCCoC helps residents experiencing homelessness find safety, stability and dignity. By supporting pathways from shelter to permanent housing, the CoC enables individuals and families to live their best lives and thrive in Lake County.