Severe weather shelter activation criteria
Santa Cruz County
Summary
The Board added a 'cold-and-wet' trigger — 40°F or colder with 80% rain probability two nights running — to open winter shelters sooner than the old 38°F dry-cold rule. Speakers described hypothermia deaths and urged even broader criteria.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 1
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 20, 2026.
Impact analysis
Estimated average added cost of about $34,000 per site per year, up to $108,000 in a high-activation year.
Unhoused residents exposed to dangerous cold-and-wet conditions.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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