BREAKING: Judge allows Santa Cruz to vacate homeless camp

A federal judge ruled, Monday, that the City of Santa Cruz can move forward with plans to clean and vacate the city’s largest homeless camp.

After two days of hearings and negotiations the San Jose-based judge ruled in favor of dissolving a temporary restraining order on closing the Gateway Encampment. That order was issued last Wednesday following a lawsuit from people living at the camp behind the Ross at Santa Cruz’s Gateway Center.

Roughly 200 people live in the tightly packed tent camp off of Highway 1. People hoping to keep the homeless encampment open said in court Monday that they feel safe there and have a sense of community and protection. The added that if they were kicked out, they would be forced into unsafe areas of the city and fear of sexual assault.

However, the City said they are currently investigating a report of a rape at the camp last Friday. And the camp was previously ruled a health and safety hazard.

Monday’s judge concluded that the camp is not a livable space.

While the plaintiffs argue the city lacks shelter for them, Santa Cruz says they do have enough and the new 1220 River Street location is ready to go.

The plaintiff’s attorney says they want to take their lawsuit to trial.

This is a developing story.