This page will be updated when Severe Weather Emergency Shelter is activated in Santa Cruz County.

SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY SHELTER TO OPEN

March 1, 2024

To protect the unhoused from a severe weather system and possible flooding, temporary protective severe weather shelters will open beginning Sunday, Feb. 18. Start time will vary depending on shelter site. The shelter system is the result of a collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, and City of Watsonville.

Severe weather shelters at Depot Park in Santa Cruz and Watsonville Veterans Hall will operate as 24-hour shelters beginning at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, and be open until 8 a.m. on Monday, March 5, when shelter operations will be reassessed. Shelter at the Santa Cruz Veterans Hall will operate as an overnight shelter from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. on March 3, and from 10 p.m. - 8 a.m. on March 4.

Lineup for shelter services begins one hour prior to shelters openings. The sites will be operated by The Free Guide. Capacity is limited.The following sites will provide shelter:

Beds will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference for people with disabilities and those experiencing significant health/safety risk sleeping outdoors.

Guests will be provided with cots, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals. Pets are allowed if they are leashed and can be kept under voice control. No aggressive animals will be allowed at shelter sites.

Food will be available once intakes and bed assignments are completed. Belongings must fit in small storage areas near bed assignments.

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SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY SHELTER TO OPEN

February 17, 2024

To protect the unhoused from a severe weather system and possible flooding, temporary protective severe weather shelters will open beginning Sunday, Feb. 18. Start time will vary depending on shelter site. The shelter system is the result of a collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, and City of Watsonville.

Severe weather shelters at Depot Park in Santa Cruz and Watsonville Veterans Hall will operate as 24-hour shelters beginning at 12 noon on Sunday, Feb. 18, and be open until noon on Tuesday, Feb. 20, when shelter operations will be reassessed.

Shelter at the Santa Cruz Veterans Hall will operate as an overnight shelter from 8 p.m.-8 a.m. on Feb 18 and 19, and from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. on Feb. 20. Lineup for shelter services begins one hour prior to shelters openings. The sites will be operated by The Free Guide. Capacity is limited. The following sites will provide shelter:

Beds will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference for people with disabilities and those experiencing significant health/safety risk sleeping outdoors.

Guests will be provided with cots, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals. Pets are allowed if they are leashed and can be kept under voice control. No aggressive animals will be allowed at shelter sites.

Food will be available once intakes and bed assignments are completed. Belongings must fit in small storage areas near bed assignments.

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SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY SHELTER TO OPEN

February 2, 2024

Three sites activated due to forecasted overnight temperatures

To protect the unhoused from a severe weather system and possible flooding, temporary protective severe weather shelters will open beginning Saturday, Feb. 3, at 1 p.m. The shelter system is the result of a collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, and City of Watsonville.

Severe weather shelters at Depot Park and Watsonville Veterans Hall will operate as 24-hour shelters and be open until noon on Monday, Feb. 5, when shelter operations will be reassessed. Shelter at the Santa Cruz Veterans Hall will operate as an overnight shelter from 8 p.m.-8 a.m.

Lineup begins one hour prior to shelters opening. The sites will be operated by The Free Guide. Capacity is limited.

The following sites will provide shelter

Beds will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference for people with disabilities and those experiencing significant health/safety risk sleeping outdoors.

Guests will be provided with cots, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals. Pets are allowed if they are leashed and can be kept under voice control. No aggressive animals will be allowed at shelter sites.

Food will be available once intakes and bed assignments are completed. Belongings must fit in small storage areas near bed assignments.

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COLD WEATHER EMERGENCY SHELTER TO OPEN 

January 30, 2024

Two sites activated due to forecasted overnight temperatures 

To protect the unhoused from a severe weather system and possible flooding, temporary protective severe weather shelters will open beginning Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. The shelter system is the result of a collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, and City of Watsonville.  

Severe weather shelters will operate as 24-hour shelters and be open until noon on Friday, Feb. 2, when shelter operations will be reassessed. The sites will be operated by The Free Guide. Capacity is limited.  

The following sites will provide shelter:  

Depot Park: 119 Center Street, Santa Cruz

Veterans Memorial Hall: 215 East Beach Street, Watsonville

Guests will be provided with cots, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals. Pets are allowed if they are leashed and can be kept under voice control. No aggressive animals will be allowed at shelter sites. 

Food will be available once intakes and bed assignments are completed. Belongings must fit in small storage areas near bed assignments. 

Those who are unable to access shelter are advised to sleep in tents or cars if possible, and to use multiple layers of clothing and/or sleeping bags and blankets.  

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EXTREME WEATHER EMERGENCY SHELTER TO OPEN

January 3, 2024

Three sites activated due to forecasted overnight temperatures To protect the unhoused from cold overnight temperatures, temporary protective overnight shelters will open beginning Friday, Jan. 5. The shelter system is the result of a collaboration between the County of Santa Cruz, City of Santa Cruz, and City of Watsonville. Cold weather shelters will operate until the morning of Friday, Jan 12, when weather forecasts will be reassessed. The sites will be operated by The Free Guide. Please note the specific days of operation for each site. Capacity is limited. The following sites will provide shelter:

Depot Park
119 Center Street in Santa Cruz
Operate from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Lineup begins at 7 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Hall
846 Front Street in Santa Cruz
Operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Lineup begins at 9:30 p.m.

Veterans Memorial Hall
215 East Beach Street in Watsonville
Operate from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Lineup begins at 7 p.m.

Beds will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference for people with disabilities and those experiencing significant health/safety risk sleeping outdoors. Guests will be provided with cots, blankets, and ready-to-eat meals. Pets are allowed if they are leashed and can be kept under voice control. No aggressive animals will be allowed at shelter sites. Food will be available once intakes and bed assignments are completed. Belongings must fit in small storage areas near bed assignments. Those who are unable to access shelter are advised to sleep in tents or cars if possible, and to use multiple layers of clothing and/or sleeping bags and blankets.