Pictured: a graph from the new Housing and Homelessness Dashboard shows the Point in Time Count of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. 2023 was the lowest number recorded since counting began in 2011.

The County of Santa Cruz launched a public-facing dashboard allowing the community to explore one of the major issues facing the community: housing costs and how they impact homelessness.

Since 1980, the County has added 80,000 people but only 26,000 housing units, leading to increases in housing costs that exacerbate the numbers of people experiencing homelessness throughout the county. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition 2023 “Out of Reach” Report, Santa Cruz County is now the most expensive housing market for renters in the United States.

The dashboard includes data on homeless persons, including information on those enrolled in County services such as emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, permanents supportive housing and transitional housing. It also provides links to information about County programs such as the Rehousing Wave and mental health services, as well as the Housing for Health Partnership, a coalition of local governments and nonprofit providers focused on reducing homelessness throughout the community.

Through an interactive map, the dashboard also provides information about more than 1,200 County-funded affordable rental units provided throughout the county, as well as another 200 either in construction or under development. For each development, information on the types of units available and contact information for property management is available. The dashboard does not include hundreds of additional affordable ownership units provided through the County’s Measure J program.

You can explore the affordable housing and homelessness dashboard here:

https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Departments/CountyAdministrativeOffice/HousingProgress.aspx

Draft Environmental Impact Report for Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10/11 Available

Photo: the tree tunnel on the rail road tracks along Park Ave in Capitola.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Segments 10/11 of the Coastal Rail Trail is now available for public review.

The completion of the DEIR begins a 60-day public review process. Spanning between 17th Avenue and State Park Drive, Segments 10/11 of the Coastal Rail Trail is a joint project of the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Capitola, and the Regional Transportation Commission. The California Transportation Commission has awarded $67.6 million in project design and construction costs.

Segments 10/11 include a 4.5-mile paved multi-use, ADA-accessible trail from 17th Avenue in the west to State Park Drive in the east, generally extending along the Branch Rail Line. It will provide recreational, active transportation, environmental and cultural education opportunities for a wide variety of users, with connections to 10 schools, 18 parks, 13 public beaches, two community centers, and multiple residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.

The County is scheduled to receive comments on the Draft EIR at a public meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023, 5 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Information on location and format will be available via the project website www.santacruzcountyca.gov/RailTrail. 

The review period closes Friday, December 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. The County must receive all written comments regarding the adequacy of the Draft EIR before then. Comments on the Draft EIR should be submitted in writing to Rob Tidmore at 979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 or via email to RailTrail@santacruzcountyca.gov. 

The Resource Conservation District (RCD) is holding a free workshop, in partnership with the County of Santa Cruz Environmental Health Water Resources and Felton Library Friends, titled Living on Rural Properties, Free Workshop for Residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Monday, November 6th

6:00 to 9:00 PM

Felton Library

6121 Gushee Street, Felton CA 95018

Topics include Best Practices for Maintaining Private Roads; Understanding Drainage & Erosion; Fire Resiliency & Healthy Landscapes; Managing Your Well & Septic System; and Grant Funding for Projects. 

There will also other local organizations tabling who provide resources or services for rural residents.

Light food & drinks will be provided.

SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP Required.

County Roads

SANITATION WORK: EAST CLIFF DRIVE SEWER REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Dates: Saturday, October 14, and Saturday, October 21
Work hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Portola Drive between 17th Avenue and 21st Avenue

There will be traffic delays due to construction and road closures associated with the East Cliff Drive Sewer Replacement Project between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 14, and Saturday, October 21, at Portola Drive between 17th Avenue and 21st Avenue with minimal detours to reduce traffic impacts and keep bus stops open whenever possible.

Bus Stops on Portola Drive and 18th Avenue westbound and eastbound stops will be closed. Bus patrons should be prepared to use nearby stops when the bus stops near 18th Avenue can no longer safely remain open. All bus stops on East Cliff Drive and Portola Drive shall remain open when possible.

This road closure is necessary for sanitary sewer main improvements. The Santa Cruz County Sanitation District would like the motoring public to be prepared for delays during these times. Questions may be directed to Ryuun Ernst at (408) 435-5106.

PG&E ROAD CLOSURE FOR FUSE SAVER INSTALLATION ON LAUREL ROAD

Dates: Monday, October 16 - Tuesday, October 17
Work Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Laurel Road (MM .20) in Santa Cruz

A road closure on a portion of Laurel Road, initiated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for the installation of a Fuse Saver is staring this week. 

The closure will take place from Monday, October 16 to Tuesday, October 17, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. During this period, the road at MM 0.20 Laurel Rd will be inaccessible to traffic. The road will be temporarily open for an hour, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., to ease traffic congestion. Emergency vehicles will always be allowed through.

This project aims to improve the overall reliability of our local electrical infrastructure. 

For any inquiries related to this project, please contact Zuha Aslam, Project Coordinator via email at ZuhaA@alvah.com or by phone at 415-470-6668.

PAVEMENT REPAIRS SCHEDULED FOR SEVERAL ROADS IN SOQUEL

Dates: Wednesday, October 18 – Tuesday, October 31 (weekdays only)
Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Cherryvale Avenue, Prescott Road, and Glen Haven Road in Soquel

Starting Wednesday, October 18 through Tuesday, October 31, weekdays only, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., pavement maintenance work is scheduled to commence for several locations: Cherryvale Avenue, Prescott Road, and Glen Haven Road in Soquel.

Below is a repair breakdown for each road:

Cherryvale Avenue – Repairs encompass the entire road.

Prescott Road: Repairs encompass the entire road.

Glen Haven Road – Repairs will be made between Cherryvale Avenue and Tola Ranch Road.

During this period, traffic flow will be restricted to a single lane to accommodate the repair work. Commuters are asked to seek alternate routes or plan for delays. Your cooperation and understanding as we work through these pavement repairs is appreciated.

PG&E POLE REPLACEMENT AND ROAD CLOSURE ON MORRILL CUTOFF ROAD

Date: Friday, October 20, 2023
Location: 23610 Morrill Cutoff Road
Closure Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with a brief opening from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

PG&E will be working on a pole replacement project on 23610 Morrill Cutoff Road which will result in a road closure in this area on Friday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., with a brief opening from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

For any inquiries or concerns regarding this project, please feel free to contact Mayra Guzman at PG&E at mayra.guzman@pge.com or by phone at (831) 737-3687.

Up-to-date information on county-maintained roads in Santa Cruz County is available online.

Caltrans

HIGHWAY 1 PROJECT BETWEEN SOQUEL DRIVE AND 41^ST AVENUE 

For the week of October 15, crews will continue with daytime grading northbound, as well as excavation for the pavement widening, installation of erosion control measures, bridge columns, and soundwall and retaining wall construction. There may also be intermittent work in the median between the existing concrete barriers. There are no scheduled lane closures on Highway 1.

Lanes have been temporarily shifted to the west on Soquel Ave. and K-rail (concrete barriers) and temporary crash cushions have been placed adjacent to northbound Soquel Ave. Installation of K-rail is necessary for the safety of crews and travelers in the area.

Travelers on Soquel Ave. can expect delays of five minutes as a result of this daytime traffic control.