Benchlands encampment to move at later date

To understand the magnitude of Santa Cruz’s homeless problem, look no further than the Benchlands camp.

“On any given day in Santa Cruz, there are 2,249 people experiencing homelessness. We have one of the highest unsheltered homeless rates in the country,” said Phil Kramer, executive director of the Homeless Services Center.

The city was expected to move the group to a site on River Street in late December, but in January, officials said there were still logistical issues.

Now, they are looking for a camp manager.

“It’s been challenging to find someone to be able to manage the camp for us. And it’s not of course not a role the city would normally play,” said Santa Cruz community relations specialist, Eileen Cross.

Organizations such as the Homeless Services Center said the city is making big strides with a 20-point plan in place to address the issue of homelessness.

Still, there’s always more to be done.

“I think the reality of the unsheltered population and the order of magnitude means that we need not a different place for those individual to go, we need an incremental, additional place or more than one to provide safe spaces for people,” Kramer said.

And that’s exactly the plan for Santa Cruz.

“The first phase is the managed campground on River Street. The second phase will be a day services center with a managed campground and the third phase will be a long-term, year-round homeless shelter,” Cross said.