Dying in Plain Sight on the Streets of Santa Barbara

Over the last three weeks, three homeless women died in plain sight in downtown Santa Barbara. One was murdered, one walked in front of an oncoming car, and the other’s basic life functions simply came to a stop on the 1200 block of State Street. For those in the trenches trying to expand the scope of options for people experiencing homelessness, these are sobering realities. The stories of these three women remain more guessed at than known. In the same historical moment, however, those in the same trenches took small but definite strides to better connect with those on the streets and to provide some actual housing for those deemed most vulnerable.

After not one but two ribbon-cutting ceremonies, delivery was finally made for the 33 pre-fab, pop-up tiny homes that will soon become the Dignity Moves housing court. This new complex will be located in a county-owned parking lot on the 1000 block of Santa Barbara Street. Although the project remains several months late, occupancy is expected to take place sometime this June. The actual pop-ups — which are now being assembled — were manufactured in Bahrain. The logjam of cargo ships backed up in Long Beach harbor slowed down delivery considerably. The nagging jurisdictional question now is how eligibility for these coveted spots will be determined. Stay tuned.

THE MISSION FOR AN EASTSIDE NAVIGATION CENTER: With considerably less fanfare, there was one small but ebullient ribbon-cutting ceremony early last Wednesday morning presided over by at least one elected official at the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. It was for the grand opening of the new Neighborhood Navigation Center that will now operate at the site every Wednesday morning.