Santa Cruz council advances day-services working group and Encompass outreach pilot amid public pleas to protect unhoused residents

Council members on Nov. 30 signaled support for a coordinated, countywide approach to day services for people experiencing homelessness and discussed operational details for a six‑month pilot to test expanded Encompass Downtown Outreach Worker hours.

Council Member Bruner asked staff how community members could stay informed about item 11 (day services); staffer Amwalley said the public should contact him by email or phone for updates. Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson and other members emphasized countywide collaboration and urged inclusion of all jurisdictions on the working group.

Staff explained the pilot would use existing Encompass staff to try weekday evening and weekend shifts over the next six months to determine operational needs, supervision requirements and coordination with partner services. Council members asked that the program explicitly state dual objectives: serving people who are unhoused and supporting downtown businesses.

Public commenters, including volunteers and service providers, urged the council to avoid encampment sweeps before point-in-time counts and to restore day‑services that have closed recently. Several speakers called for basic onsite necessities such as water, phone‑charging stations and mail services for unhoused residents.

Why it matters: Council direction shapes near-term service delivery, outreach hours and county coordination. The pilot is framed as a short-term operational step that could inform longer-term contracts and funding decisions.

What's next: Staff will continue outreach with county partners and report on pilot findings; the Encompass contract renewal includes performance monitoring and a plan to report results to council and Downtown Management Corporation meetings.

Quotes: "We should invite all jurisdictions in our county," Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson said, calling homelessness a countywide challenge.