COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Chuen Wu, Assistant City Manager
DATE: January 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Presentation – Status Update on Encampment Response Efforts
The City Council will receive a status update on encampment response efforts and services to assist the unsheltered in the Santa Maria community.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s community service officers, park rangers, and other staff continue to address the community impacts of encampments, in coordination with the County of Santa Barbara and other non-profit service providers, such as Good Samaritan Shelter.
DISCUSSION:
Over several months in 2024, various agencies including Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County, CalTrans, and non -profit service providers f ocused their efforts on individuals currently encamped in the Santa Maria riverbed and areas under the 101 Freeway. Many encampments were cleared because of these efforts.
However, encampment response is ongoing, requiring consistent work on the part of the City’s public safety personnel, partner agencies and service providers. Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County staff will present additional information on these efforts and be available for questions.