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Last week, Santa Cruz County released an initial overview of the results of the Point-in-Time homelessness count that occurred back on February 28, 2022. The report and point-in-time count is used to apply and accept Housing Urban Development funds to address homelessness in our region. According to Housing For Health Director, Robert Ratner, “The 2022 PIT County shows a significant progress in addressing homelessness among families and youth, however, there have been significant increases in homelessness among seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.” On Tuesday before the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Ratner further stated, “The lack of affordable housing remains the biggest barrier to preventing and ending homelessness in the community. We have more work to do to meet the objectives set forth in our Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz shared framework to ensure all residents have stable, safe, and healthy places to live.” We’ve known for years that Santa Cruz County is one of the least affordable housing markets in the United States. That statistical data was confirmed once again in an annual report (Out of Reach) by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Our region was ranked 2nd least affordable community. You can review the full report here: https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2022_OOR.pdf The preliminary PIT count data shows an estimated 2,299 people experienced homelessness at the time of the count (a 6% increase), including 1,774 who were unsheltered. Two key new data points gained through the PIT counts survey process: (1) a statistically significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness who self-report substance use disorders (1,073) and serious mental illness (818); and (2) the number of veterans experiencing homelessness more than doubled from 2019. You can read Santa Cruz County’s press release here: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/CAO/press%20releases/2022/2022PITCount.08052022(2).pdf. Overall, the 2022 PIT count results show a ‘small’ 6% increase of the people living without a home in the county. PIT Count methodology is known to undercount the number of people experiencing homelessness and excludes people experiencing homelessness staying in institutional settings, those in temporary situations, and those living in unsafe or overcrowded spaces. The count likely undercounts unsheltered people on a single night due to challenges locating people in hidden areas or situations. It is not a complete and accurate data collection of the homeless situation, but it gives each community an understanding of the complexity of the problem. Here are the trends that come from the report as provided by Santa Cruz Local in its coverage Santa Cruz Local - Homeless Point in Time coverage > Homelessness among people ages 18 to 24 declined 61% since 2019, according to the report. > There were 59% fewer unhoused families with children younger than 18 since 2019, according to the report. Fifty families were counted in shelters, outside, and in transitional housing such as hotels, according to the February tally. > Chronically homeless people in Santa Cruz County increased from 403 in 2019 to 921 in February, the report stated. “Chronically homeless” means a person has been homeless for at least a year, or homeless at least four times in the past three years. They also must have a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness or drug addiction. Chronically homeless people are among the most challenging to help house, homeless services providers and county staff have said. > More unhoused people reported that they had problems with mental health and drugs and alcohol this year compared with 2019. County leaders said pandemic stressors may have been a factor as well as a lack of residential treatment beds. > Homeless veterans more than doubled from 151 in 2019 to 332 in February. It appears that our homeless problems will not be resolved in the short term. However, the County initiated a three-year strategic plan last year and will be providing six month updates on progress made and ways to move forward. The collaborative relationship between the city and county is critical in ensuring there is a fair and balanced in accessing homeless funds to effectively address short-term and long-term programs. Currently, the county and city are working to pursue funds for a ‘navigation’ center and provide additional housing options. Two city programs are currently a work in progress, the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance to mitigate large RVs parking on city streets in residential neighborhoods. That Ordinance is stuck in the California Coastal Commission review where the commission raised concerns that the city staff is currently trying to respond to. A ‘denvo’ hearing will be the next step to hopefully move that program forward. The most eye-opening homeless encampment at the Bench lands on the San Lorenzo River continues to be a city/county priority. The plan is to move the homeless into shelters in a phased process — pending that there is available shelter space for these individuals. An update on the progress will be reported on August 23 at the next city council meeting. Housing Matters is an important partner to this effort to address systemic long-term homelessness. They have been working on a project (Harvey West Studios) to build permanent supportive housing on and near their Coral Street campus. Earlier this year, they received grant funding from Dignity Health to help facilitate that construction. The 120+ unit residence for individuals is in the final planning stages and the funding strategy is to start construction in early 2023. Once completed it will be the largest supportive housing project in the County. Housing Matters’ first affordable, very low-income supportive housing project is nearing completion — the remodel of 801 River Street — a seven-unit Victorian house that is ready for occupancy in November. We have a long way to go to adequately respond to our homeless problems. The key word is collaboration among all stakeholders.
Last week, Santa Cruz County released an initial overview of the results of the Point-in-Time homelessness count that occurred back on February 28, 2022. The report and point-in-time count is used to apply and accept Housing Urban Development funds to address homelessness in our region. According to Housing For Health Director, Robert Ratner, “The 2022 PIT County shows a significant progress in addressing homelessness among families and youth, however, there have been significant increases in homelessness among seniors, veterans and people with disabilities.”
On Tuesday before the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Ratner further stated, “The lack of affordable housing remains the biggest barrier to preventing and ending homelessness in the community. We have more work to do to meet the objectives set forth in our Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz shared framework to ensure all residents have stable, safe, and healthy places to live.” We’ve known for years that Santa Cruz County is one of the least affordable housing markets in the United States. That statistical data was confirmed once again in an annual report (Out of Reach) by the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Our region was ranked 2nd least affordable community. You can review the full report here: https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/2022_OOR.pdf
The preliminary PIT count data shows an estimated 2,299 people experienced homelessness at the time of the count (a 6% increase), including 1,774 who were unsheltered.
Two key new data points gained through the PIT counts survey process: (1) a statistically significant increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness who self-report substance use disorders (1,073) and serious mental illness (818); and (2) the number of veterans experiencing homelessness more than doubled from 2019. You can read Santa Cruz County’s press release here: https://www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Portals/0/County/CAO/press%20releases/2022/2022PITCount.08052022(2).pdf.
Overall, the 2022 PIT count results show a ‘small’ 6% increase of the people living without a home in the county. PIT Count methodology is known to undercount the number of people experiencing homelessness and excludes people experiencing homelessness staying in institutional settings, those in temporary situations, and those living in unsafe or overcrowded spaces. The count likely undercounts unsheltered people on a single night due to challenges locating people in hidden areas or situations. It is not a complete and accurate data collection of the homeless situation, but it gives each community an understanding of the complexity of the problem.
Here are the trends that come from the report as provided by Santa Cruz Local in its coverage Santa Cruz Local - Homeless Point in Time coverage
It appears that our homeless problems will not be resolved in the short term. However, the County initiated a three-year strategic plan last year and will be providing six month updates on progress made and ways to move forward. The collaborative relationship between the city and county is critical in ensuring there is a fair and balanced in accessing homeless funds to effectively address short-term and long-term programs. Currently, the county and city are working to pursue funds for a ‘navigation’ center and provide additional housing options. Two city programs are currently a work in progress, the Oversized Vehicle Ordinance to mitigate large RVs parking on city streets in residential neighborhoods. That Ordinance is stuck in the California Coastal Commission review where the commission raised concerns that the city staff is currently trying to respond to. A ‘denvo’ hearing will be the next step to hopefully move that program forward.
The most eye-opening homeless encampment at the Bench lands on the San Lorenzo River continues to be a city/county priority. The plan is to move the homeless into shelters in a phased process — pending that there is available shelter space for these individuals. An update on the progress will be reported on August 23 at the next city council meeting.
Housing Matters is an important partner to this effort to address systemic long-term homelessness. They have been working on a project (Harvey West Studios) to build permanent supportive housing on and near their Coral Street campus. Earlier this year, they received grant funding from Dignity Health to help facilitate that construction. The 120+ unit residence for individuals is in the final planning stages and the funding strategy is to start construction in early 2023. Once completed it will be the largest supportive housing project in the County. Housing Matters’ first affordable, very low-income supportive housing project is nearing completion — the remodel of 801 River Street — a seven-unit Victorian house that is ready for occupancy in November.
We have a long way to go to adequately respond to our homeless problems. The key word is collaboration among all stakeholders.