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.
Housing
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 inUncategorized
50-unit apartment complex for low-income renters proposed in Santa Cruz’s Lower Ocean neighborhood
Under developer MidPen’s proposal, existing buildings at 314 Jessie St. would be demolished and replaced with a five-story apartment complex that includes parking underneath it, as well as leasing offices and a community room on the two bottom floors.
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 inBusiness & Technology
Not bid-ness as usual: Current climate for home-buying in Santa Cruz County ‘hard to wrap your head around’
Real estate prices have soared to record heights in 2021 as bidding wars with all-cash, no-contingency offers hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking have suddenly become the norm. Year-over-year prices are up between 30% and 40% in the county.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz County greenlights 21-unit townhome project with some units for lower-income buyers
The development at 3212 Mission Drive (near the corner of Mission and Soquel Drive) will set aside two units for sale to moderate-income residents and one to a “very low-income” household. The remaining 18 units will be available for sale at market rate.
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.
Posted inUncategorized
What’s up with Downtown Santa Cruz development? Panel discussion Tuesday morning to hit some highlights
The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz has put together a virtual Zoom panel to update residents on plans and progress of various projects. You can tune in on Tuesday, April 6, at 8:30 am.
