Politics & Government
Santa Cruz Gathers To Address Homelessness
Homeless advocates, neighborhood advocates and people who have been homeless gathered this week to share their thoughts about homelessness.
SANTA CRUZ, CA — It seems everyone has something to say about homelessness. A newly banded City of Santa Cruz group is listening.
The Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness — established earlier this year by the City Council — held its inaugural community outreach Tuesday evening to discuss health and hygeine issues facing Santa Cruz's homeless community. Among those in attendance were formerly homeless individuals, homeless advocates, neighborhood advocates and small business owners, said Ralph Dimarucut, principal management analyst of the City Manager's Office.
Guests shared their fears, prejudices, and perceived obstacles to addressing these issues. They looked to the future for possible solutions, too.
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The night began with an icebreaker. Ground rules: be understanding of one another.
Some 35 to 45 people showed up. Guests were asked to introduce themselves to people they'd never met, and share stories and experiences with homeless, Dimarucut said. The tone was softer than that of City Council meetings.
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"It was a lot more personal," he said.
Community members in attendance shared worries about drug use in public bathrooms, environmental impacts of homelessness, and a lack of political will and funding for hygeine solutions, Dimarucut said. They suggested hiring additional public health field workers, awarding shower vouchers for gyms and hotels, laundry vouchers, greater public bathroom access and finding more permanent housing options for homeless locals.
Guests wanted deeper conversations to happen between those with and without homes, he said.
CACH's regularly scheduled meeting followed the community listening session. People were invited to chime in on discussions about mobile showers, Dimarucut said.
CACH will present its first set of recommendations to the City Council on Dec. 10. The group's next community outreach will be held Dec. 17, 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building downtown. The topic is safe sleeping.
Learn more about CACH here.
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