Homeless Shelter Capacity Expanded In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Homeless shelter capacity has been increased in Santa Cruz County and is now offered year-round, but there's still a shortfall.

The Homeless Action Partnership, which is overseen by the county, announced Friday the finalization of year-round shelter contracts resulting in a nearly 30 percent increase in overall shelter capacity. The contracts formalize an expansion to 549 spaces, up from 427 spaces at the same time last year, according to Jason Hoppin, communications manager for the county.

The 549 "spaces" include 394 permanent beds, 80 tent spaces (1220 River St.), and 75 parking sites known as "Safe Spaces" at various locations in the county, Hoppin said.

The shelters will also operate year-round, instead of just during cold winter months.

"People still need beds, even when the weather warms up," Hoppin said.

The cost on the shelter contracts is $7 million. The price tag includes emergency shelter at three sites operated by Salvation Army Santa Cruz Corps, funding for the new Safe Spaces program, increased funding for Monarch Services’ domestic violence shelter, funding for Housing Matters' Paul Lee Loft and increased capacity for the Association of Faith Communities' rotating shelter program, according to Hoppin.

"This represents an important step forward, from a triage system that offered temporary solutions and toward a system of shelter and services capable of addressing our homelessness crisis by offering meaningful solutions for homeless individuals and our community," said Rayne Perez, Santa Cruz County's homeless services coordinator.

The expansion still doesn't provide a space for every homeless individual in the county. According to the 2019 Point-in-Time Count report, there were 2,167 homeless persons living in Santa Cruz County.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that municipalities cannot punish people for sleeping on the streets if there are no available shelter beds (Martin v. Boise). In the City of Santa Cruz, and in some cities across the nation, officials are grappling with the court's ruling.