Gov. Gavin Newsom wants local jurisdictions to “take back the sidewalks” from homeless encampments; leaders in Santa Cruz County have largely pushed back against what they say is mostly talk from the state’s top political leader.
homelessness
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Nonprofit unveils plans for managing Watsonville 34-unit ‘tiny village’ homeless housing
South County-based nonprofit Community Action Board provided new details to the Watsonville City Council this week on how it plans to manage a 34-unit “tiny village” shelter for the homeless at Westview Presbyterian Church. The nonprofit anticipates the shelter to open in the fall.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What happens after a homeless person is arrested for camping? Often, not much
Wickey Two Hands was supposed to be the first person tried for camping in Fresno. Instead, after the city and county poured resources into his case, it was dismissed at the last minute.
Posted inLatest News
March to End Homelessness set for May 4 in downtown Santa Cruz
The Coalition to End Homelessness SCC will host the annual March to End Homelessness on Sunday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in downtown Santa Cruz. The coalition consists of 27 service providers dedicated to organizing the Santa Cruz community to find solutions for homelessness. The march unites local nonprofit providers, businesses and residents in homelessness advocacy.
Posted inHousing & Development
Construction begins on new Santa Cruz homeless facility
Demolition will begin soon at 2202 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz, the future site of a 32-bed homeless center. Construction aims to conclude this fall, with the shelter to open in early 2026.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
We need to look more closely at the trauma faced by our first responders in Santa Cruz County
First responders in Santa Cruz County need more trauma-informed services, writes Kevin Norton, who holds a master’s in public health and who has experienced trauma firsthand. About 38% of calls to Santa Cruz police now involve mental health issues, substance use and homelessness, he writes. The toll is wearing on those who respond and he is not surprised by a 2017 study showing more American police officers and emergency medical services professionals died by suicide than in the line of duty. Since 1992, Santa Cruz’s population has increased by 23%, but calls to the fire department increased by 163%, with the majority being medical calls, Norton writes. We need to do more, he says, to help our emergency service workers.
Posted inHousing & Development
Housing Matters holds storytelling event Sunday
The event on Sunday at Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz allows community leaders and individuals with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity to share their stories.
Posted inLatest News
Housing Matters partners with local libraries for neighborhood meetings
Homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters is partnering with Santa Cruz Public Libraries for a series of free social-justice-oriented events in Watsonville, Santa Cruz and Capitola as part of a program called “Neighbors for Neighbors: At the Intersections.”
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville City Council denies second appeal against ‘tiny village’ homeless shelter project
The Watsonville City Council on Tuesday denied a second appeal filed by resident Catalina Torres asking councilmembers to rescind zoning approval of the 34-unit “tiny village” project intended to provide shelter for the unhoused on the property of Westview Presbyterian Church.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Recurso de Fuerza: Watsonville council should vote yes on tiny homes project
MaríaElena De La Garza, chief executive officer of Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc., argues for Recurso De Fuerza, a tiny homes project set to build 32 units (34 beds) to help ease the unhoused crisis in Watsonville. The city council is due to vote on the project at its meeting Tuesday.