Cold Weather shelters activated in Santa Cruz County, shelters to be open until Thursday
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- UPDATE ON JAN. 9, 2024 AT 4:49 PM- Santa Cruz County officials will be activating their cold weather shelters for homeless people as temperatures continue to drop.
The shelters will be open starting on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. until Thursday morning at 8 a.m.
Here are the three sites that will provide shelter.
- Depot Park: 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz from January 9- January 11
- Veterans Memorial Hall: 846 Front Street in Santa Cruz from January 9 to January 11
- Veterans Memorial Hall: 215 East Beach Street in Watsonville from January 9 to January 11
County officials said that food will be available and belongings must fit into storage bins.
If people choose to bring their pets, they must be on a leash according to county officials.
Original Story
Cold weather shelter systems are being activated as of January 5, 2024 for homeless people as temperatures continue to drop overnight.
Santa Cruz County staff said the shelters will operate until the morning of Tuesday, January 9 when the weather forecast will be assessed.
The following sites will provide shelter, but the county warns capacity at each site is limited:
- Depot Park: 119 Center Street in Santa Cruz from January 5 - January 8
- Veterans Memorial Hall: 846 Front Street in Santa Cruz from January 7 to January 8
- Veterans Memorial Hall: 215 East Beach Street in Watsonville from January 5 to January 8
All shelters will operate from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with lines forming around 7 p.m.
Beds are offered on a first-come, first-served basis with preference for people with disabilities and those with health/safety risk if they sleep outdoors.
Food will also be available and belongings must fit into small storage bins provided near beds assigned to the unhoused.
Again, capacity is limited and the county said those unable to access shelter are advised to sleep in tents or cars, if possible, and where multiple layers.
