Seventy-two hours after notices went up, police and clean-up crews began the final stages of clearing out the homeless encampment at Highways 1 and 9 in Santa Cruz. Most occupants left over the weekend, but with shelters full, it’s unclear where many of them went.
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Posted inLatest News
Highway 1 and 9 homeless encampment begins clearing out to make way for construction project
It appeared that the hundreds of campers in coming days will need to find open spaces in city and county shelters or managed encampments in which to stay — or find some other place to sleep. Homeless advocates had begun going to the intersection Friday to try to begin finding places for the displaced campers to relocate.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Emergency sheltering for homeless could get a much-needed extension thanks to new federal funding
To date Santa Cruz County has funding secured through September for a 275-unit emergency shelter program that reserves hotel and motel rooms for people experiencing homelessness. Additional federal funding that could soon come the county’s way should help officials keep about 100 units operational for another three months.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Cleanup of San Lorenzo Park to begin Friday as homeless camp moves next door to Benchlands
City officials announced the plans during a Santa Cruz City Council meeting on Tuesday, and said they had already begun relocating dozens of San Lorenzo Park campers to the Benchlands. The move is the result of a compromise the city struck with the local homeless union after months of legal back-and-forth over a federal lawsuit focused on the threat of COVID-19 to unsheltered people staying in the park.
Posted inHousing & Development
A tiny-home village for homeless veterans? It’s part of non-profit’s bigger picture — but the clock ticks
The Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building Board of Trustees is on an ambitious quest: Create housing for all Santa Cruz County homeless veterans — and do so before the clock runs out on pandemic-related funding that’s helped shelter vets amid COVID. Part of the solution? Tiny homes.
Posted inLatest News
Teen arrested in Texas for January murder of apparently homeless man in Santa Cruz, police say
The victim, 37-year-old Daniel Hartley, was found dead in the early hours of Jan. 17 near the 700 block of Emeline Avenue.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Absolutely have to do better’: In homeless camping law rewrite, Santa Cruz leaders vow to hear out residents
UPDATE: The “temporary outdoor living ordinance,” known as TOLO, was suspended by the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday night amid outcries from all corners of the city. Most councilmembers struck an apologetic tone, expressing regret over the lack of effort put into gathering community input about the ordinance before it was passed.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz ordinance restricting where homeless people can camp likely ‘dead’ after widespread opposition
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Top Santa Cruz officials try to allay Seabright’s fears about homeless as camping ordinance revisions emerge
The big takeaway: Mayor Donna Meyers told frustrated Seabright residents that she would bring forth a proposal to place all commercial zones in the city, including in their neighborhood, off-limits for overnight camping. But a more nuanced discussion about homelessness took place as well.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
COVID-spawned budget woes will force shutdown of River Street homeless shelter next month
The River Street facility, located on the campus of Housing Matters, is set to close May 1, with its occupants to be moved into permanent housing or to other shelters. Still, the move is raising concerns.
