Ross encampment in limbo as closure date still undetermined

As the debate over homelessness continues in Santa Cruz, another deadline is set to pass which would have closed the homeless encampment located off River Street.

The “Ross Camp,” located behind the Ross at the Gateway Plaza, has been the home for dozens of the city’s homeless for months.

The growth of which has been visible from River Street and Highway One.

ACLU Northern California stepped in this month to voice its disapproval of the city’s attempt to close the camp. Council Members have since set a deadline for themselves as to when they should speak to members of the ACLU, which is no later than April 23.

Meanwhile the city is looking at ways to improve conditions at the Ross Camp while it stands.

“From the city’s side, I can see how it’s a potential health hazard with the dirty syringes all over the place,” says Jess Avila. Jess is one of the homeless individuals living at the camp.

Avila says the city expected residents at the homeless camp to abide by a certain standard of living and that they’re “just not meeting it.”

To help with that, the city is hoping to work with the city’s fire chief, plus provide a more formal census to get a proper head count.

“If we communicate among each other and set a bar and step up a little, but I think we can keep it up,” says Avila.

The camp will close at some point, but the city says that won’t happen until there’s enough shelter space.

City leaders agreed to not put a temporary shelter in any city parks or neighborhoods for now.

They hope to get at the root cause of homelessness, too. A committee is being formed to address problems and solutions regarding homelessness.

The application process to join that committee ends on April 29. You can check out the application here.