National homeless census count underway in the Central Coast

While you were sleeping, dozens of volunteers were taking part in the homeless census in San Benito County. It’s part of a nationwide effort to count the actual number of homeless in our communities.
At least eight teams hit the streets of San Benito County, looking in trailers and tents, behind closed down buildings and out in the fields for homeless people.
“Every community has homeless,” Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez said. “We have to address the issues.”
By knowing the numbers from the biannual census, more funding and resources could be on the way. Those resources could help women like Vianey Crizantos Lopez who has been homeless for a year already.
“It’s freezing here sometimes,” Crizantos Lopez said.
Others want the focus to be on getting a help up, not a hand out. John Wolgamott, one of the homeless census guides says he wishes local business leaders would be more open-minded when hiring potential employees.
“People don’t want to hire them because they are homeless,” Wolgamott said. “They think there going to steal and stuff. There’s a lot of honest homeless people out here.”
We should know the offical numbers from the count this spring. In the meantime, Mayor Velazquez is acting now. In the works is a plan to build tiny homes within the next year. The small shelter for one features its own bathroom and kitchen. He’s taking the idea from similar models in places like Olympia, Washington and Eugene, Oregon.
“We don’t want to bring people in as a free ride,” Mayor Velazquez said.
Residents would have to pay rent and do community service. There will also be other services available for people battling addiction.
It could help Maribel Ramos, a woman who chose to be homeless rather than be stuck in an even more dangerous situation.
“I decided to say “OK, I’m gonna be by myself,”” Ramos said. “I’m struggling with men so I need to focus on me.”
The tiny homes could offer her the independence and safety she needs to get her life back on track.
“It gives them a home, a lock and key,” Mayor Velazquez explains, “So they feel safe in their own unit. It gives them the start that they need.”
The city is also working with the county on a plan to build a new shelter. It would be right across the street from the warming center, which is only used in the winter. We should learn more during the Board of Supervisor’s meeting next week.