Monterey County to end non-congregate sheltering program on July 30
PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON JUNE 15, 2023 AT 12:12 PM- Monterey County officials announced that they are planning to end the temporary, non-congregate shelter program on July 30.
County officials said that the reason behind the closure is due to the rental assistance allocations and an increased number of homes being repaired in Pajaro.
Community members who have been in the congregate sheltering program have been able to engage with case managers and apply for social service and housing programs.
The county also required community members in the program to provide a plan outlining
their strategy to find housing or return to their pre-disaster home.
Monterey County has spent approximately $1 million on this program within the past two months.
The County said that community members who need assistance have been supported through County and community agencies including the Housing Authority of Monterey County with housing vouchers and low-income housing programs.
Monterey County launches shelter accommodation program for Pajaro flood victims
UPDATE ON MAY 4, 2023, AT 11:57 AM- The County of Monterey announced they will be at Pajaro Park taking applications Thursday for their Non-Congregate Shelter Accommodation Program for Disaster Victims.
From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Pajaro residents staying at a shelter can temporarily apply to transition into a hotel room.
ORIGINAL STORY
Monterey County is beginning its transition to other temporary emergency shelter options for people impacted by March storms.
The program will move those eligible from the mass emergency shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. The population at the shelter has been declining over the last few weeks and is currently at 145.
The number of hotel rooms is limited, and those interested had to apply for the program at Pajaro Park on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., the county had secured 100 hotel rooms in the Watsonville area, and 49 families had already applied.
Residents need to bring documentation to be eligible:
• Photo ID
• Proof of Residency to validate pre-disaster living- One of the following:
o Bill in your name (Credit card, doctor, cell phone, etc.)
o School records
o Utility bill
o Lease/rental agreement
o Vehicle registration
o Bank statement with name/address
o Insurance policy (Car, rental, homeowner)
o Property Tax bill
o Mortgage agreement
o Notice of action from Monterey County (Cal Works, Cal Fresh, MediCal)
Monterey County says this is the first sign-up opportunity for the new program, and additional dates will be announced. They're also working to secure more hotel rooms.
The County’s Emergency Shelter at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds will remain open for the time being to house those impacted by flooding and who may not be eligible for other shelter options; however, new guests are no longer being accepted. This change does not affect those currently staying at the shelter, who can remain and continue to receive the services that the shelter provides until such time that the shelter closes.
Monterey County
