By Bruce McPherson, County Supervisor 5th District
Every two years communities across the country conduct comprehensive counts of their homeless population. The survey is used to gain a better understanding of the homeless individuals and to apply for federal funding for homeless programs.
The survey released last week for Santa Cruz County has some shocking and disturbing news. At the same time, it highlights the opportunities we have to address this persistent and complicated problem.
The survey found:
- The number of homeless has increased 28 percent over the past two years to about 3,500 countywide; and
- Santa Cruz County has more homeless youth and minors than far larger communities, such as San Jose and San Francisco.
The survey shows that most of the homeless have a disabling condition, such as mental illness, alcohol or drug addiction, or a developmental disability. About one-third are female. Military veterans are about 11 percent of the total.
About 28 percent live in vehicles and another 8 percent live in encampments. Those who are homeless for the first time have been homeless for more than a year. Many are also on some form of public assistance
The survey shows that about half the homeless live in the incorporated cities of Santa Cruz County, including 25 people in Scotts Valley. About half live in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, with about 160 people in the San Lorenzo Valley.
It’s easy to attribute the increase in homelessness to Santa Cruz County’s reputation as a haven for drug addicts and transients, attracting them by providing services. While it is clear from the survey that we have more homeless youth, it’s inconclusive whether they were drawn here. In fact, data shows that 1 in 2 youth coming out of foster care will be homeless. Clearly, this is one opportunity where we can help address this problem through the support of transitional housing and other services for local youth.
In the Fifth District, most of the homeless are along the San Lorenzo River corridor, especially in Felton and in between Felton and Santa Cruz, according to the survey. We have a very active volunteer group in Felton that has been working to clean garbage and debris from encampments. This group works in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office to give notice as to when encampments will be removed.
San Lorenzo Valley business owners, community activists, and other community leaders are also in the early stages of discussion regarding formation of a task force to address homelessness. I will be participating in this group as well as the Santa Cruz Public Safety Citizen Task Force.
It’s easy to attribute drug abuse and other criminal behavior to the homeless. As we take a deeper look, however, I think we’ll find that the truth is more complicated.
I do believe that some steps are clear. Preventing homelessness is essential. We need to focus both on providing the outreach and services needed — rent and mortgage assistance and employment — to keep people sheltered as the front line in preventing homelessness. Transitional housing would go a long way to help keep people out of crisis.
Because both homelessness and crime are strongly linked to substance abuse, prevention and treatment are also crucial, especially intervention programs in schools. Santa Cruz County already has many effective programs, but these programs could be much more effective if they were sufficiently funded.
At the same time, I would like to see more emphasis on personal accountability in the treatment programs and services that we do provide. For instance, those who seek services should have proof of residency so that we take care of our own residents first.
As a community, we also need to provide more economic opportunities, which in turn can help provide adequate mental health services and drug and alcohol treatment and shelter beds to take care of those truly in need.
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To contact Supervisor McPherson via telephone call 831-454-2200; send e-mail to [email protected]
