Dear Friends and Neighbors,
When people ask me about how things are going I point to the sky and say "gathering rain clouds." That's what it feels like in the government climate as well as the outdoor fall air. Our Board agenda tomorrow summarizes some of the impacts from H.R. 1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. We will also discuss how the County will maintain record-breaking reductions in homelessness amid a changing funding landscape.
Even in these times, there are many reasons for hope. Santa Cruz County continues to be a leader in the global environmental movement, most recently by banning cigarette butts (starting in Jan. 2027). This is the first policy of its kind globally.
A new affordable housing project approved by the Planning Commission on Thurber and Soquel will add 173 deed-restricted rental units and enhance walkability for the neighborhood.
This month we celebrated the opening of the Youth Crisis Center, which will ensure that kids suffering from a mental health crisis have a place of their own to go for a night or even multiple weeks if needed. This is a huge turnaround compared to kids being stuck in the ER for days on end or having to go out of the county for care.
Last but not least, I'm excited about the renovations happening in the Board Chambers. We're reorienting the room so that we can keep the window curtains OPEN while improving the broadcasting equipment. The work is being paid for by cable fees that have built up over the years specifically for this purpose. But check the calendar for the location of Board meetings between now and the end of the year.
So, while the skies look ominous, I'm certain that together we will get through the storm ahead and emerge stronger than ever.
Best, |
Manu Koenig 1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
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Highlights on Tomorrow's Board of Supervisors Meeting
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Image: An image posted on social media by Santa Cruz County Human Services Department back in May, which is CalFresh Awareness Month. Cuts to SNAP through H.R. 1 are projected to take $16M out of the County's economy.
If you want to scratch your "doom scrolling" itch for the day, just take a read through this memo summarizing the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, H.R. 1. It includes such projections as: Covered California is estimating that exchange premiums will increase by an average of 66%, and that residents under 400% of the federal poverty level may see their premiums double. Reductions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through H.R. 1 could result in a loss of over $16M per year to the Santa Cruz County economy, based on The Urban Institute's estimates. Early estimates suggest that across County departments, H.R. 1-related budget gaps could reach $30 million annually within three years, driven by cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other safety-net programs, combined with rising indigent care costs and increased administrative burdens.
Without significant mitigation, the combined effect of these changes will erode the County’s safety-net capacity, crowd out other essential services, and pose substantial risks to the fiscal stability of County operations and the well-being of residents.
Meanwhile, the County is also bracing for a possible federal government shutdown this week. With nearly half of County revenues sourced federally or through State pass-throughs, prolonged disruption could trigger cash flow shortages and credit risks despite mitigation through reserves. Clients relying on CalFresh, WIC (Women, Infant, and Children), or HUD rental support could also experience hardship. Community Development and Infrastructure could see significant project implementation delays as federal funds stall.
With so much turbulence ahead, we must strengthen our resolve to reshape our institutions for the better. This is not a time for despair, it is a time to get to work. Together we will meet the challenges ahead and emerge stronger.
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Image: Homelessness in Santa Cruz County is at its lowest level since counting began in 2009. There were 1,473 homeless people recorded in this year's Point in Time Count - the annual census of homelessness. This represents a 20% decrease from 2024. |
This annual update on homelessness in Santa Cruz County has some good news to share: a 20% decline in people experiencing homelessness from 2024 to 2025. At 1,473, this number is the lowest it's been since counting began.
Housing for Health, the County's division for addressing homelessness, has been hugely successful in securing state grants and is in the middle of opening up a number of new facilities. Housing for Health supports three permanent supportive housing projects and one youth transitional housing project. It helped these projects obtain over $22M for development and operational expenses. When completed the sites will have capacity for 74 households on a given day. In addition to these projects, H4H helped secure an additional $25.5M in funding for the development of three low-barrier, service-enriched shelter programs throughout the County. All three sites should be completed and operational on or before April 2026, expanding sheltering capacity for adults by at least 86 beds.
The Housing Matters Harvey West Studios 120-unit permanent supportive housing project on Coral Street in the City of Santa Cruz is expected to complete construction in the summer of 2026. Housing for Health participates in lease-up planning sessions for this new development and its coordinated entry team continues to support the lease-up of other new permanent supportive housing buildings.
All that is the good news. The bad news is that funding to address homelessness largely flows from the state and federal governments. That funding is all starting to decrease. Where the County will find funding to operate all of its facilities remains in question.
Moreover, data from the Point in Time Count showed a significant reduction in homelessness among youth and adults without disabilities but a significant increase in homelessness among seniors and people with disabilities. In other words, the people who are still experiencing homelessness are much harder to help. 76% of people experiencing homelessness in the County were unsheltered on the day of the Count. Individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness are 25 times more likely to report they suffer from the triple burden of physical health conditions, mental health issues, and substance-use disorders than individuals experiencing sheltered homelessness (50% compared to 2%).
In addition to hearing this report, the Board of Supervisors will vote on Encampment Response Guidelines tomorrow. These outline a process for engaging people camped in public spaces.
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Image: Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) offers peer-to-peer support and a drop-in day center. They abruptly closed their doors earlier this month. Photo credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The abrupt closure of the Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) and Downtown Streets Team programs earlier this month caught everyone by surprise. The Board of Supervisors had gone to great lengths to find additional funds for both programs in this year's budget, including $477,939 for MHCAN.
This memo provides an update on how the County is working with MHCAN to address financial and administrative problems following leadership changes. In particular, County Behavioral Health is supporting the organization with invoice preparation and expediting eligible payments. The County is taking these steps because we recognize the importance of a peer-run behavioral health center.
In contrast, Downtown Streets Team's closure at the end of October will most likely be final. The County Human Services Department is arranging warm handoffs for approximately 25 active CalFresh participants to other job-training partners so that people remain connected to employment pathways. County Solid Waste will hold litter abatement funding at $241,000 per year and will leverage existing County staff to remove litter in areas where Downtown Streets team has been active such as beaches, Highway 9 and county-maintained roads.
To read and comment on the full Board of Supervisors Agenda click here: https://santacruzcountyca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=720 |
Santa Cruz County Continues to Lead the Way withBanning the Butt
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Image: Cigarette butts in the sand.
Santa Cruz County is set to make history in 2027 as the first place in the world to enforce a ban on the sale of filtered cigarettes and cigars. The groundbreaking ordinance will take effect in unincorporated areas of the county as well as the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola, county officials announced this week.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors first approved the ban in October 2024, contingent upon at least two other local governments passing similar measures. That condition was met just recently, with the City of Santa Cruz adopting a ban on June 24 and the City of Capitola following suit on September 11.
Enforcement Timeline: - Jan. 1, 2027: Ban takes effect in the City of Santa Cruz and Unincorporated Santa Cruz County areas (including the San Lorenzo Valley, Live Oak and Aptos)
- July 1, 2027: Capitola begins enforcement
County leaders emphasized the move is aimed at reducing the most common form of litter on earth: cigarette butts. The World Health Organization estimates 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, many of which leach toxic chemicals and microplastics into oceans, waterways, and neighborhoods.
To ease the transition, officials plan to provide outreach materials for retailers and residents, assist with product shifts, and support enforcement. County leaders also noted that similar policies, such as bans on single-use plastics and Styrofoam, caused no lasting negative economic impacts and ultimately benefited businesses reliant on a clean environment.
Cigarette butts are toxic, they're useless and they're everywhere. As the guardians of Monterey Bay, we're standing up and telling Big Tobacco, this ends NOW. We invite communities worldwide to join us.
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Take the Broadband Survey
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Image: Broadband Survey Information
The County of Santa Cruz has launched a countywide survey to better understand internet and phone coverage. Your feedback will help us to:
✅ Guide future broadband expansion projects
✅ Strengthen emergency communication planning
Survey closes: November 30, 2025
The survey is available in both English and Spanish. Your voice matters—help shape a more connected Santa Cruz County! Take the survey here:
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Image: A rendering of the Thurber and Soquel project from the developer's website. The site is currently being used for a pumpkin patch.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the Anton Thurber/Solana Development proposal this past Wednesday, September 24. The proposal is one of the largest affordable housing projects in county history, bringing 173 lower-income residential units to the 6.26-acre site at Soquel Drive and Thurber Lane.
Sacramento-based Anton Development will lead the project which also includes a community commercial hub, 257 parking spaces, and a public path linking the neighborhood to Winkle Farm County Park.
Under state housing laws, commissioners had limited ability to alter or reject the proposal, since it is 100% affordable and consistent with county zoning and housing plans. At a density of about 28 units per acre, the project is actually on the lower end of the up to 282 units that could have been built here.
The project now moves into detailed design and permitting, expected to take at least a year. Construction is projected to last about two years. Unless appealed, the commission’s approval will allow the project to proceed without review by the Board of Supervisors.
Among the feedback that constituents have shared with my office are concerns about evacuation route impacts in the case of emergency. In my conversations with first responders they have stressed that they would manage traffic flow at Thurber and Soquel during an emergency to ensure that residents of the Santa Cruz Gardens neighborhood can safely evacuate. In addition, multiple evacuation routes exist and first responders are nearby to open gates like the ones on upper Winkle Ave.
Nevertheless, preparation is essential. My office, along with the County’s Office of Recovery, Response and Resilience, are looking at ways we can continue to help residents of that area prepare for emergencies. One way that we can all become more aware of real-time emergency actions in Santa Cruz County is by signing up for alerts on CruzAware, the County's emergency communication system. You can sign up for CruzAware alerts here.
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Image: Information about Week without Driving
Can you go a week without driving? That’s the challenge set for this week, Sep. 29 through Oct. 5, as the Week Without Driving campaign gets underway.
The program invites you to step outside the driver’s seat to experience what it’s like for people who rely on walking, biking, public transit or carpooling. The program gives points that can be redeemed for rewards like gift e-cards to local businesses.
The Week Without Driving Santa Cruz County is part of a national campaign to see the world differently. Whether due to age, ability, financial circumstances, nearly a third of Americans cannot drive but rely on a transportation system designed for driving.
Santa Cruz County residents are encouraged to sign up for the challenge here and then log any eligible trip (bike, walk, transit, carpool, or vanpool) during the challenge period for a raffle entry.
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Image: The Board Chambers are under construction. Please note: the Board will not be meeting in the 5th Floor Chambers during renovations.
Upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings will take place at alternate locations while long-planned renovations are underway at the Government Center Board Chambers:
Sep. 30th - Watsonville City Council Chambers Oct. 7th - County Government Community Room (701 Ocean St, Basement) Oct. 21st - Scotts Valley City Council Chambers Nov. 4th - Watsonville City Council Chambers Nov. 18th - County Government Community Room (701 Ocean St, Basement) Dec. 9th - Capitola City Council Chambers Dec. 16th - County Government Community Room (701 Ocean St, Basement)
The project will modernize the chambers by replacing outdated equipment, enhancing accessibility, and creating a more welcoming space for the public. Once complete, the updated chambers will feature natural light, improved seating, upgraded safety measures, and a reconfigured layout designed to better serve the community.
In addition, state-of-the-art audiovisual and broadcasting systems will be installed to provide clearer sound, more reliable streaming, and expanded opportunities for public participation both in person and online.
Renovation costs are funded through cable franchise fees, which by federal law can only be used for public, educational, and governmental access purposes.
Fall 2025 BOS Meeting Schedule |
Image: Officials cutting the ribbon at the new Youth Crisis Center.
Earlier this month, I had the honor of helping to open the new Hope Forward–Esperanza Adelante Youth Crisis Center in Live Oak, a first-of-its-kind safe space for children and teens in Santa Cruz County experiencing a mental health crisis. The center is set to begin accepting patients in the coming months and represents a transformative step forward in how our community supports its young people.
For years, youth in crisis here had no dedicated place to turn. Too often, they waited in the emergency room hallway at Dominican Hospital or were sent out of county for long-term care, separated from their families when they needed them most. The Youth Crisis Center changes that reality entirely. It is a space of safety and healing, designed specifically for youth, and ensures that kids can stay close to home and loved ones while receiving the care they need.
The facility includes two core programs: the Crisis Stabilization Unit, which is an eight-chair unit offering assessments and short-term stabilization, with most stays lasting less than 24 hours; and a Crisis Residential Program, a 16-bed program providing therapeutic care, coordinated support, and recovery-focused treatment, with average stays of two to ten days.
This $26.1 million project, funded by both state and county sources, came together in just three years—an impressive achievement made possible by strong leadership, dedicated staff, and a deep commitment to community well-being. The County has partnered with Aspiranet, a California nonprofit, to operate the center, with additional support from the County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this possible. You didn’t just build a facility—you created a refuge. The Youth Crisis Center is more than a building; it’s a promise to our youth that they are not alone, that help is here, and that turnarounds are possible.
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County Board Chambers will be undergoing renovations for the remainder of the calendar year. All Board meetings from 9/30 on will be held at various alternate locations throughout the County. The Fall 2025 meeting schedule with locations can be found here.
Tuesday, September 30 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at Watsonville City Council Chambers at 275 Main Street in Watsonville (Top Floor).
Wednesday, October 1 - Office Hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. Come visit me at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95062. Bring your questions and meet with me one-on-one. As always, first come first served.
Thursday, October 2 - Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at Watsonville City Council Chambers at 275 Main Street in Watsonville (Top Floor).
Tuesday, October 7 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at 701 Ocean Street Government Center Community Room (Basement).
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