Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After day‑services closures, Santa Cruz County and community partners scramble to maintain restrooms, showers and mail services
Summary
Housing Matters ended day services and MHCAN closed unexpectedly; county staff outlined short‑term steps (porta‑potties, distributed showers, Employment & Benefit Services mail access), recommended a clubhouse model for peer mental‑health supports and ratified contract amendments removing day‑services payments.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on March 24 heard a detailed update on two recent closures that removed critical day‑services for people experiencing homelessness.
Housing Matters announced in October it would stop day services that provided mail room access, restrooms and showers; the Mental Health Client Action Network (MHCAN) experienced an unplanned closure in August 2025. County staff told the board those programs were primarily supported by private fundraising and partners, with only limited county contract dollars for specific components. Behavioral Health staff said the county contributed about $100,000 a year for mail services and a small amount for shelter‑related day services.
A survey of community stakeholders (more than 80 responses) ranked maintaining restroom access and showers as the highest priorities, followed by connection to benefits and services. City of Santa Cruz leaders approved roughly $400,000 in one‑time funds to address immediate restroom/shower needs; staff said the city plans to deploy porta‑potties and hand‑washing stations in the short term and to partner with existing shower providers. County Employment and Benefit Services has started public‑benefit mail services at two county locations and circulated flyers to notify people who depend on mail access.
Behavioral Health said MHCAN’s remaining board members have reconstituted an interim board, are working with a consultant and are exploring a clubhouse model — an internationally recognized peer‑run approach for people with serious mental illness — in partnership with Front Street. Front Street’s president told the board the organization will support operations and fiscal sponsorship while MHCAN rebuilds capacity.
The board ratified amendments to Housing Matters contracts removing day‑service compensation (a reduction described as $70,000 in the staff report), directed staff to continue mail and essential shelter supports, and asked staff to pursue partner funding and short‑term fixes for restroom and shower access. The motion to ratify the contract amendments and continue stabilization efforts passed 5–0.
Next steps: staff will continue coordinating with the City of Santa Cruz, local nonprofits and philanthropic partners to stand up temporary restroom and shower solutions and to support MHCAN’s reorganization toward a clubhouse model. The board asked for continued updates on operational plans and a budgeted path forward.
