Soledad staff reports riverbed encampment cleared; provisional site, motel vouchers and 16‑bed modular plan outlined
Summary
City staff told the Planning Commission that a riverbed encampment was cleared and 37 people have received outreach; 24 people are receiving services at a provisional site (990 Los Coches), 11 are on motel vouchers and the city and county expect to open a 16‑bed modular unit site by August with units in place until June 2027.
City of Soledad community‑development staff reported at the June 12, 2025 Planning Commission meeting that a long‑standing encampment in the riverbed behind Food School was cleaned and that outreach and services are underway.
Staff said the city relocated people to a provisional encampment at 990 Los Coches and that 24 people at that site are receiving services; 11 other individuals are using motel vouchers. The city described a plan, funded through a county‑applied grant, to install modular housing units on a separate property. Staff told commissioners the modular site is intended to provide 16 beds, that the modular village is expected to be in place by August 2025, and that the modular units will remain available through June 2027.
Staff outlined a wraparound approach provided through partnerships that includes housing navigation, behavioral‑health assessments conducted on site, substance‑use referrals and employment assistance. The city said three provisional participants have obtained employment and that several people are pursuing behavioral‑health and substance‑use services. Staff also said 13 of the people the city is serving are undocumented and that the city has been working with consular services to assist with vital‑document replacement as needed.
Staff described enforcement measures to prevent re‑establishment of the encampment, stating that signage and sheriff's office enforcement will be used and that private property owners are responsible for removing future trash on their parcels. Staff said the modular units will sit on small concrete footings and will be removed at the end of the deployment, leaving limited site disturbance.
The Planning Commission heard the report as an informational item; no formal commission action was taken on the encampment or modular housing plan during the meeting.
