Sonoma County supervisors approved the use of nearly $15 million this week to support local homelessness services and develop new housing for the county's homeless residents.

The board voted to utilize $11.8 million in federal and state grants for services that benefit homeless residents like street outreach and emergency shelter operations.

The board also approved using $2.6 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support local organizations that provide services to homeless residents.

The county's Community Development Commission and Homebase, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, are also in the process of developing a dedicated regional plan to reduce homelessness in Sonoma County.

"The actions today provide critical funding for permanent housing solutions, emergency shelters and rapid rehousing, for individuals in need," Supervisor James Gore said.

Information about the county's efforts to reduce homelessness can be found at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/development-services/community-development-commission/divisions/homeless-services/continuum-of-care.