Santa Cruz homeless community gears up for freezing temperatures

As temperatures dropped in Santa Cruz County Monday, a community of homeless people geared up for what they say will be another difficult night outside.

Though there is a warming shelter available in Santa Cruz County, there is only so much space. Many have no choice but to get as ready as they can be to face a week out in freezing temperatures.

“It’s hard because we have to tough it out inside of our tent,” said Mark Hemersbach who lives at the Benchlands of San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz.

It’s a reality many who call the park home are facing.

“A lot of us get sick, especially the older people like myself,” Hemersbach said, “I’m prone to colds and the flus.”

Hemersbach says the support of his neighbors is key to getting through bad weather.

“Most of us, for the most part are just really thankful that we have what we have,” he said, “That’s a legal place that we can camp to pitch our tent. We band together and have little cookouts.”

Residents say they’re not just relying on their neighbors to help them get through the cold snaps but also on the generosity outside of the community.

Tia Paneet, a Santa Cruz County nurse, comes to the homeless camp as often as she can in her free time to offer support to those in the Benchlands Community.

“Doing outreach, providing hygiene kits, access to services and what not,” Paneet said.

Gestures she hopes send a comforting message.

“Just knowing that there’s people that care in the community,” Paneet said, “There’s a big stigma around homelessness and you know there are people out there who do care.”

Though he expects this coming week to be tough, Hemersbach is trying to stay positive.

“We’ve been through worse and you know, it could be worse but it could also be better,” he said.

Mark also adds that if anyone has any blankets or coats that aren’t being used, the Benchlands community is grateful for any support.

To find the Salvation Army location closest to the park click here.