After the California Department of Public Health expanded the eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccine to include people experiencing homelessness, Santa Cruz County began inoculations with a clinic at Housing Matters on Tuesday. Lookout photo contributor Kevin Painchaud captured the scene.
homelessness
Posted inHousing & Development
Could San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment move back to the Benchlands? Judge set to decide soon
In a new proposal submitted to a federal judge Wednesday, the city of Santa Cruz suggested moving the residents of the San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment to the Benchlands, another section of the park, with room for more than 100 tents and rules in place for residents.
Posted inLatest News
Attempted homicide arrest made in San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment beating
Jose Dante Espinosa, 34, was taken into custody Tuesday in the area of San Lorenzo Park near Soquel Avenue on a charge of attempted homicide, police said.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz OKs controversial, sweeping changes to where homeless can live, but implementation to be delayed
Before Tuesday’s meeting, the city again received more than 700 pages of written comments about the proposed ‘outdoor living’ ordinance. Hours before it was discussed, several dozen people rallied outside Santa Cruz City Hall in protest.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
By 2024, Santa Cruz County aims to decrease number of homeless households by more than 25%
A pair of items approved by Santa Cruz County supervisors Tuesday are the latest in a flurry of homelessness-related measures that have come before county and municipal leaders. But finding funding will be key.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Major Santa Cruz proposal affecting homeless up for final vote Tuesday. Will recent changes help it pass?
The ‘temporary outdoor living ordinance,’ also known as the ‘camping ordinance,’ passed 5-2 on its first reading last month after two city council members suggested key changes. But as another key vote looms Tuesday, community debate continues to heat up.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
At pivotal time in homelessness crisis, Santa Cruz County supervisors pitch major shelter expansion plan
Santa Cruz County supervisors Manu Koenig and Ryan Coonerty are proposing allowing churches, nonprofits and others to create temporary housing and shelters for the homeless in unincorporated areas. It’s “a commitment by the county to step up and do its fair share,” Coonerty says.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Widening inequity or major problem? The deeply divided public opinions on Santa Cruz’s homelessness ordinance
In all, there were more than 700 pages of written comments leading up to Tuesday’s meeting about the city of Santa Cruz’s proposed ‘outdoor living’ ordinance. And then doesn’t include the folks who spoke in front of the camera.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Huge development on homelessness: Santa Cruz plan to restrict camping gets initial nod, with some key changes
The city’s ‘outdoor living’ ordinance would issue sweeping restrictions on where and when camping is allowed. But — after hearing and reading hundreds of comments — city council members changed parts of the proposed law during a meeting that stretched into the early-morning hours Wednesday.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom continues to get earful, this time from county leaders, on what to do with Highway 1 homeless camp
As a major CalTrans construction project that would displace 100 unhoused people looms, city and county leaders are…