City government offers alternatives after tents reappear at old Ross camp

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) Tents have reappeared at the former Ross homeless encampment site that the city of Santa Cruz shut down in May, and the city said it will work to keep a camp site from forming at that location.

The city said it has not authorized a campsite at Gateway Plaza, also called the Ross camp. In a social media post, officials said they are trying to offer alternatives to those camping there, including two sites run by the Salvation Army in the city that have current vacancies.

To keep a camp from forming at the Gateway Plaza, the city said it is monitoring the situation and will respond if it appears to be reforming. The city said the camp was closed in May because of significant health and public safety issues.

Homeless advocates told KION they are returning to the site because the city lacks winter shelters.

The California Homeless Union Santa Cruz chapter President Alicia Kuhl spoke to us Monday at the camp site.

"We have established a homeless union-sanctioned survival camp due to the lack of winter shelter and lack of shelter in general in the City and County of Santa Cruz," said Kuhl.

Nearby businesses are already on edge with the formation of that new camp. Having dealt with the first Ross Camp earlier this year, many are weary of a new battle and concerned about the safety and well-being of their customers and employees.

"They would be coming in and out of the store and it was a very unsafe environment for lack of a better phrase," said Isaac Arballo, the manager of the nearby Mattress Firm. "If it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not happy about it, but we can all just wait and see."