SANTA CRUZ — In the more than two years since taking on a formalized approach to addressing homelessness, backed by shelter and parking programs, the city of Santa Cruz has had about a 23% self-determined housing success rate, according to statistics shared Tuesday night. During a semiannual “Report to the Community: Homelessness Response Update” webinar, Homelessness Response Manager Larry Imwalle provided an overview of city efforts before turning to 12 community questions distilled into broad categories. The webinar recording and additional resources are posted to the city’s website at cityofsantacruz.
com/homelessness under “News and Updates.” Imwalle noted that in June, the city approved its “ Homelessness Response Strategic Plan 2024-2027 ,” a roadmap guiding city strategy in addressing the issue updated with input from eight community stakeholder meetings and a public survey garnering nearly 700 responses on their priorities. Top public concerns included: accessible parks and open space, citizen safety, business and economics, humanitarian, environmental, equitable enforcement of the law, community well-being and quality of life, clean streets and neighborhoods, affordable housing and housing solutions, and service provisions and support for the unhoused.
Anonymized community questions addressed during the meeting largely revolved around community queries on access and enrollment in everything from shelter spaces and safe parking options to program workshops and affordable housing. The city of Santa Cruz directly funds two 24/7 tent-based sleeping sites, including the 135-space Overlook shelter at the National Guard Armory in DeLaveaga Park and the 30-space self-managed 1220 River St. transitional camp.
The city also hosts a 24/7 large-vehicle safe parking program with up to 17 spaces at the Armory, plus an additional 32 overnight-only parking spaces in city lots. Funding also goes toward occasional severe weather shelter space and Homeward Bound, a program providing safe transport for some 126 people to other communities where they have ties. Among the three day-in and day-out programs, 797 people have been served and 184 moved into “more stable housing,” with higher success rates tallied for the smaller programs and only a 15% housing rate for the large Overlook tent program.
Asked about vacancy rates at the city’s shelter programs, Imwalle said the 165 tent shelter spaces are “typically very close to capacity.” He also responded to a question about city plans to increase tent shelter space by saying that immediate efforts were focused on maintaining existing options. “There tends to be, just through exits for folks, a handful of spaces that are available,” Imwalle said.
“We have sort of a constant flow of four or five people a week in and out. But capacity is typically very near full.” Imwalle also was questioned on how decisions were made to clear encampments and what happened to those told to vacate a site.
One question noted Santa Cruz’s single-year estimated 36% drop in homeless, compared to Watsonville’s 60% increase in that same period. Related Articles Construction for Santa Cruz County’s largest homeless housing project kicks off Santa Cruz County shifting homeless response spotlight to South County City Council votes to ban other cities from dropping off homeless people in Santa Cruz Growing Santa Cruz County homeless senior population struggles for resources New Santa Cruz law would prohibit unsanctioned government homeless drop-offs “There’s no evidence that really links the decrease in Santa Cruz with the increase in Watsonville,” Imwalle responded. “That being said, we know that there’s a lot of mobility in this population and there are ebbs and flows from one community to another.
” The federally required single-day annual homeless point-in-time count, said Imwalle, “is not a perfect tool for measuring change and progress from one year to the next.” Imwalle also addressed city strategies when it came to closing down homeless encampments. While the city had no set parameters for a large encampment, those targeted are “definitely over 10” tents and determined in a process “driven by health and safety concerns, both for the community in general and for the people experiencing homelessness in those areas.
” Those interested in shelter programs should call 831-359-5996 to complete an intake procedure. Those interested in enrolling in safe parking options should call 831-420-5093 or email [email protected] .
A comprehensive listing of available local resources also is available online through nonprofit People First of Santa Cruz County, formerly The Free Guide, at peoplefirstscc.org . The city’s next scheduled homelessness community report is expected in March, officials said.
.
