My Conversation with Five Unhoused Residents Living Rough in Colusa

In the time it took to make my final edits to this exposé, two of the unhoused individuals I interviewed had been to Colusa Medical Center’s emergency room, and one ended up being hospitalized.

Homeless In Colusa

In the heart of Colusa County, a disturbing narrative unfolds among its unhoused residents. Far from feeling supported by the intended systems, some feel passed over.

This deep-seated feeling that their worth is not recognized has tragically eroded their faith in the local infrastructure and, as evidence suggests, creates a critical barrier to effective housing solutions. When individuals feel marginalized, they are demonstrably less likely to engage with services, perpetuating the cycle of homelessness.

The stark reality of this housing crisis became palpable during detailed conversations with three individuals seeking refuge at the river's edge in Colusa, and one woman living in her car. We also provided emergency transportation, a hot meal, and groceries to a fifth unhoused resident stranded in Clearlake, enabling his return to his tent in Colusa.

Their collective voice was clear: a stable home isn't just shelter; it's the bedrock for wellbeing, health, and human dignity. The weariness in their eyes and chronic illnesses ripping through their bodies, painted a disturbing picture of what happens to people with serious health issues who do not have access to housing, and are exposed to the elements.

Homelessness is a Public Health Issue

Homelessness is a significant public health issue in Colusa County because it exacerbates health risks, strains healthcare systems, and impacts the broader community. Individuals experiencing homelessness face higher rates of chronic health conditions, mental and substance use disorders, and barriers to accessing healthcare. These issues not only affect the health of those directly impacted but also have broader implications for public health. 

Troubling Pattern

Further investigation also revealed a troubling pattern of negative experiences with local housing assistance staff among those experiencing homelessness. Individuals reported being informed of a lack of available emergency housing funds, enduring protracted waiting periods to meet with a housing specialist and be entered into the system, and ultimately feeling unseen and unheard. All five suggested that housing assistance for unhoused individuals in Colusa was de-prioritized in favor of families, which all agreed was vitally important but felt it displayed deliberate bias by county workers towards individuals impacted by homelessness.

Shockingly, one housing expert suggested to a homeless woman, with no access to a shower or suitable clothing that one of her top priorities should be securing work, which clearly violates California's Housing First initiative. I can verify that the at-risk, unsheltered woman was there for housing assistance not employment advise, since we drove her to the appointment due to her dire housing needs.

Consequently, it was not unexpected that three of the five individuals seeking housing requested our advocacy. Moving forward, with their consent through a disclosure agreement, we intend to be present during their housing-related interactions to assess firsthand the validity of their claims and determine if there is a demonstrable need for more empathetic, rigorously trained, and relatable engagement.

Alternative Housing and Extreme Heat

Colusa's unhoused voices also addressed the need for alternative housing solutions such as, temporary interim housing options for individuals that would help unsheltered adults transition to permanent housing, verses expensive, short-term motel stays, which all agreed was more-or-less a band-aid.

Their concerns continued as the conversation shifted to the approaching summer months and the need for the county (or a nonprofit) to finally step-up and invest in real emergency shelter options, especially during the summer heat, which four viewed as more dangerous than winter. Two of the interviewees were over 50 years of age, and in poor health.

Data supports that extreme heat poses a significant threat to people experiencing homelessness, particularly those living unsheltered, due to increased risks of heat-related illness and death.

Mental Health Support

It was significant that three interviewees gave Behavioral Health Services high marks, particularly in assisting their friends who were once incarcerated and/or living rough with access to rehab, help with securing stable housing, and wrap-around mental health services. All admitted to struggling with mental health issues at some point in their lives, and one confessed that ‘drugs’ played a major role in his homelessness.

High Praise

These same individuals offered high praise for the compassion shown by local sheriffs and  police officers. Following closely were peer support specialists at Safe Haven’s drop-in center, and First Presbyterian Church, hot meals program. Notably, the name of Janice Bell resonated as a county supervisor genuinely perceived to care about their welfare. We plan to reach out to Supervisor Bell on their behalf.

Unsheltered Adults

The growing scale of Colusa’s homeless challenge for individuals, without dependents, is unsettling. To learn that over 20 people are currently living in weather worn tents hidden from the public’s view; a number alarmingly doubled since last April, according to those on the ground, paints a stark picture. And this figure, they emphasized, doesn't even begin to capture the hidden numbers of those sleeping in unsafe structures or their vehicles.

This reality persists despite recent efforts to increase affordable housing options, such as the construction of Rancho Colus, a permanent supportive housing complex offering 49 units for low-income families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness. Unfortunately, the number of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Colusa continues to rise, offering a stark snapshot into the unmet needs of a specific segment of this underserved population: adults experiencing homelessness without dependents.

The question then becomes: how can Colusa County mend this fractured trust and reach its most vulnerable unhoused residents? The answer, starkly illuminated by these conversations, calls for a fundamental shift in training, staffing, and  how housing funds are allocated to resolve chronic homelessness for adults in Colusa.

Gaps In The System

The biggest disconnects we were able to identify was the county’s ongoing challenge to gain the trust of this exceedingly unhealthy, vulnerable, and high-risk population to provide scalable emergency housing or transitional interim shelter and hands-on-assistance with the overwhelming application process for subsidized housing, which all agreed was daunting. These barriers, compounded by a need for case management that goes far beyond mere data entry into the California Homeless Data Information System, prevents our hardest-hit unhoused community members from feeling supported, valued, and heard.

One of the other key takeaways from these conversations was the perceived need for Health and Human Services to prioritize the training and employment of community housing peers – individuals with lived experience of overcoming homelessness and related challenges as boots-on-the-ground support. 

Four of the five unhoused emphasized the importance of having someone, a peer, they could relate to, who would not judge them. I wholeheartedly agree. Hiring individuals in these ‘housing navigator’ roles who possess empathy and firsthand knowledge of the dire realities of homelessness, is crucial for supporting unhoused residents who often struggle to connect with people lacking similar experiences. 

Evidence supports Housing Navigators are playing a crucial community role across California by connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with resources, supports and services. If we are truly committed to decreasing homelessness in Colusa County, it is time to re-evaluate our traditional reliance on credentials and recognize the profound value of having county workers with lived experience on the front lines. 

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IF YOU ARE UNHOUSED and RESIDING IN COLUSA?

Add your voice to this critical conversation.

Contact Susan Wagenaar at 530-588-5697.

Note: Since this article was published on May 11th, another unsheltered person has reached out to Colusa County Recovery.