On Tuesday, a man cleared his possessions as the northern end of the San Lorenzo Park Benchland homeless encampment was closed and its residents were evicted from the area. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel File)
SANTA CRUZ — As the city of Santa Cruz continues to disperse the largest homeless encampments from urban parks in phased evictions, a countywide analysis released Friday details the social epidemic. increase.
Last month’s high-level results from federally mandated point-in-time counts (the first in three years for Santa Cruz County) revealed an estimated 6% increase in the overall homeless population. His five-hour survey, conducted in the early hours of February 28, counted about 2,299 homeless people, compared to her 2,167 in January 2019.
In the Santa Cruz County jurisdiction, the number of homeless individuals was highest in unincorporated areas, up nearly 20% from 2019 to a total of 1,888. 1,439 people were counted, a 20% increase from 2019. Watsonville had him down 1% to 366, while Scotts Valley had him up 4 to 48, and Capitola had him up from her 6 to 35.
The report shows progress in countywide efforts to reduce the number of homeless families, down 59% from 2019, but also highlights a clear spike in veteran homelessness. The census counted 332 veterans, nearly all of whom (93%) were unprotected in his 2022. That number is 120% higher than the 2019 tally. About seven months later, members of a coalition of veterans homeless-focused organizations are questioning the census results. So-called “by name” lists that track individual homeless veterans maintained by Housing Matters, Nations’ Finest, HUD-Veterans Assistance Housing, and Veterans Affairs Coordinated Entry provide housing in Santa Cruz County. We calculate that there are only 52 veterans who do not have one. As of September.
“This year’s PIT numbers do not match what we see in Veterans Family Support Services programs or data collected through campus services such as mailrooms, bathrooms and showers,” said Chief Initiatives Officer at Housing Matters. As one Tom Stagg said: “In fact, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in the county appears to be actually declining,” said a media release issued after the reserve county was announced last month.
Veterans experiencing homelessness can contact Housing Matters intake and assessment specialists at 831-222-0127.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development relies on data collected at point-in-time counts from each community’s “continuing care” to determine how to allocate federal homeless funds. The Santa Cruz County Home Health Partnership traditionally receives approximately $5.2 million in federal funding annually, based on his biennial calculation. Leaders of the Housing for Health Partnership will conduct Point-in-Time Count annually going forward.
Full 45 Page 2022 Santa Cruz County Comprehensive Report on Homeless Counts and Surveys revealed trends that were inferred from surveys collected from 333 people between February 28th and March 28th. At least he’s been on the rise since 2015, moving forward for the first time when the survey found eviction was the leading cause of homelessness for 37% of his respondents. 33% unemployment in seven years. Individuals facing eviction or at risk of becoming homeless can text “Rent” to 211211 or call 211 for United Way managed resources and services. View full report online: Housingforhealthpartnership.orgin the Learning Center, under Data and Reports.
Data collected by Watsonville-based social research firm Applied Survey Research on behalf of the Housing for Health Partnership show that:
• Race: People who identify as Black or African American increased from 1% to 12% of the homeless population in 2022. This group is compared to the 1% of the general population, which comprises the entire county.
• residence: The number of respondents who said they lived in Santa Cruz County before they lost their home increased from 74% in 2019 to 89% in 2022.
• needs: For 89% of respondents, rental assistance was the most common assistance needed to obtain a permanent home, over money for moving expenses for 74%.
• work: Respondent employment fell 11% from 2019, with 20% reporting having some kind of job.
• Addiction: 67% of respondents experience a self-reported substance use disorder, the most common disabling health condition, up 37% from 2019.
• criminal justice: Respondents who said they were on probation or parole when they recently became homeless increased 11% from 2019 to a total of 29%.
• recurrent: About 40% of the population, an estimated 921 people are chronically homeless, up from 19% three years ago.
