Seaside homeless relocate to Fort Ord, hoping for permanent housing solutions

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION)

The City of Seaside has relocated a homeless encampment from Roberts Lake to a parking lot in Fort Ord, just across the street from the MPC Public Training Center.

The encampment at Roberts Lake grew larger as the pandemic continued.

Some of the homeless residents at the Fort Ord encampment say they did not agree with the city's decision to relocate at first, but now they say this new location is an improvement.

“We were all upset and apprehensive about it. The move to over here is a lot neater, a lot cleaner, quieter," says Robert Ruch, one of the people living in the encampment.

Part of the city's Fort Ord location plan included portable restroom and hand washing stations.

The city is allowing people to stay at the Fort Ord location for no longer than 120 days.

The residents at the encampment say they've been here a week so far.

No word yet on plans the city may have after those 120 days are up, but the people at the encampment say they hope the city will offer them more permanent housing solutions.

They also say they are hoping for showers on site.