Santa Cruz Homeless Encampment could be cleared out by March 15th

The County and City of Santa Cruz are working together to manage the growing homeless encampment near Ross and the Gateway Plaza.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday morning in favor of opening other temporary shelters to move towards closing the encampment by March 15th.

Starting Wednesday a temporary shelter that will hold 40 beds will be open at the Salvation Army on Laurel Street.

They aim to open several other shelters around the County to sleep at least 150 people, which is how many people they estimate are sleeping at the Ross Encampment.

Supervisors also voted on guidelines of what to do with the 10 million dollars they were granted last month by the state.

More than a million of that going to the emergency immediate housing crisis for safety and health purposes.

The City Council has the final say in the Ross Encampment since it is on their land.

They expect to make a vote Tuesday night at their 7 p.m. meeting.