After much community backlash, Santa Cruz Mayor Donna Meyers said she will bring forth a proposal to remove the industrial zone of the Seabright neighborhood from places where overnight camping is allowed on public property.
Housing
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz mayor responds after Seabright residents sound off about ‘outdoor living ordinance’
As news has spread throughout Santa Cruz about how the industrial zoning of the Seabright neighborhood could make it a camping destination for unsheltered people, many who live there are speaking out — most with harsh words for the city council. Now, Mayor Donna Meyers is responding.
Posted inHousing & Development
San Lorenzo Park homeless camp to move to the Benchlands as a compromise in federal lawsuit
Per the compromise, the city will establish 122 campsites — adequately spaced out — in the Benchlands, which is a floodplain along the San Lorenzo River.
Posted inHousing & Development
How did $2.7 billion in housing bonds disappear?
An audit found an obscure state committee led by top elected officials missed spending deadlines for affordable housing bonds nearly a decade ago. Few are around to explain why.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Very good experience’: Streamlined permitting process shows early success for CZU fire home rebuilders
An expedited permit system, and a 40 percent reduction in fees for fire victims, are aimed at easing the path to recovery for owners of homes lost in the blaze that ripped through the Santa Cruz Mountains in August and September. Can county officials keep it up?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With COVID-related funding to end, county allots $8 million for ‘rehousing wave,’ but not without questions
County Supervisor Manu Koenig is questioning the county’s “rapid rehousing” effort, saying “I’d much rather be paying people who are building housing, or for housing supply itself, rather than paying a bunch of people sitting behind desks.”
Posted inHousing & Development
Protesters detained by LAPD near Echo Park homeless encampment
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inVaccine Watch
PHOTOS: Santa Cruz County begins vaccinating its homeless residents
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.
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 inHousing & Development
$16M rent relief program for Santa Cruz County tenants, landlords launches — but not without snafus
To apply or verify eligibility for the rent relief program, applicants can visit HousingIsKey.com. While the program was meant to fully launch Monday, some local community partners say the effort did not go smoothly.
