The 34 year-old River Street Shelter in Santa Cruz is now scheduled to close it’s doors permanently the first of next month. The facility has specialized in providing mental and behavioral health needs for the homeless population. Last year’s lease with the city had been extended through June of 2021 with the understanding that at that point the program would close. The facility typically has a 32-bed capacity, with participants’ stays lasting about 30 days, however, due to the pandemic the operational capacity was reduced to 27 beds….with most reserved for Santa Cruz Mental Health-referred clients, with sever al beds set aside for quick turnover occupants. Currently, the occupancy is said to be low, and official s are now working to find placement for those clients in either another shelter, or permanent housing.
