Santa Cruz County releases draft three-year plan to address homelessness

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz County has released a draft of a three-year plan that it hopes will reduce the number of unsheltered residents by 50% and all homelessness by 30%.

The plan is called, "Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz: A Strategic Framework for Addressing Homelessness in Santa Cruz County," and officials said it includes input from cities and local nonprofits. The plan includes an analysis of homeless response systems and recommendations for change as well.

“The County and our partners are working on an integrated approach to addressing homelessness that leverages existing strengths while addressing gaps,” Assistant County Administrative Officer Elissa Benson said. “Over the next three years, if our community meets the specific objectives set forth in this plan, we should see significant improvements in the lives of our homeless residents and reduced homelessness throughout the county.”

Some of the goals of the plan include increasing rates of rehousing, increasing enrollment in homelessness programs, adding an additional 160 year-round emergency shelter beds, adding 350 new rapid rehousing slots and adding 100 new permanent housing slots with supportive services.

Next steps for the plan include making public presentations to provide information and getting input from homeless residents.

Read the full plan in the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Agenda Packet here or see an infographic outlining it here.