Santa Cruz County Shelter
& Care Task Force FAQs

A: As of May 7, 2020, no persons experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

A: If a person experiencing homelessness is diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalization is required, the person will be hospitalized. If hospitalization is not required, the person will be quarantined in a hotel room with supportive staffing and services available.

A: No. Guidelines from the CDC, as well as the Governor’s Project Roomkey, recommend hotel room shelter space (known locally as Isolation/Quarantine Shelters) only for persons experiencing homelessness who are vulnerable to COVID-19 and/or being isolated or quarantined from exposure. The County has secured a number of hotel rooms for these purposes. The Shelter & Care Task Force’s approach prioritizes individuals experiencing homelessness who are known or presumed to be COVID-19 positive but do not require hospitalization, as well as those with high-risk factors who face increased risk of mortality from COVID-19. Isolation/Quarantine Shelter participants are provided transportation, a private room, three meals a day, snacks, and laundry service. These shelters have security and other staff on-site 24 hours, seven days a week. Public Health Nurses are regularly on site to address health needs.

A: Currently, there are three local hotels under contract for the Isolation/Quarantine Shelter program. Between the three hotels, there are a total of 117 rooms.

A: No. Hotels participating in the Isolation/Quarantine Shelter program are required to dedicate the hotel property entirely to the shelter program.

A: Three new shelters have been implemented as part of the countywide COVID-19 Homeless Response strategy, including:

• Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building and Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Santa Cruz, serving a combined total of approximately 100.
• Simpkins Family Swim Center (Live Oak), can serve up to 29 Transitional Age Youth (ages 18-24).

A: CDC and state guidelines advise against dispersing encampments, unless individual housing units are available. The guidelines also recommend that if individuals are asymptomatic, outreach services should be provided to persons living in encampments and physical distancing should be maintained.

A: The Shelter & Care Task Force has implemented demarcated campsites and increased safety measures at the Benchlands and the Coral Street area in Santa Cruz to facilitate physical distancing and the provision of outreach, hygiene facilities, food and other basic needs to support persons living unsheltered in these areas.

A: Existing food and medical providers have restructured their service models to continue serving persons experiencing homelessness while aligning with shelter-in-place and physical distancing guidelines.

A: Yes. CDC guidelines recommend allowing people to shelter in place in their RVs and other vehicles, if they are able to do so safely. Task Force partners are working to identify additional safe parking areas for RVs.

A: Efforts to identify permanent housing are continuing the COVID-19 crisis. Many formerly homeless families and individuals are finding housing each month with the support of case managers and housing navigators.

A: Federal, state and local government funds are all being brought to bear on the crisis. Additionally, local community organizations have expanded services with community donations.

A: Visit www.HomelessActionPartnership.org for more information, including weekly updates and more.