In Watsonville, we see the human cost of California’s housing crisis every day. As homelessness rises, we face a critical choice: continue with inadequate approaches or embrace innovative solutions reflecting our values of compassion and dignity for all.
As CEO of Community Action Board (CAB) of Santa Cruz County and a Watsonville-born community member, I’m advocating for Recurso de Fuerza, a tiny homes project representing hope for our unhoused neighbors and our community as a whole.
What Recurso de Fuerza Really Is
Recurso de Fuerza is not a traditional shelter. It’s a 34-unit housing-first navigation center designed to help people overcome barriers to stable housing and resolve homelessness permanently.
The concept is simple but powerful: provide people with their own secure space—a door they can lock—while connecting them with comprehensive support services. Unlike traditional shelters, we don’t turn away people with behavioral health challenges, substance use disorders, or pets. Our approach recognizes that housing stability must come first, creating the foundation for addressing other challenges. Our Recurso project includes dedicated staff–including case managers and housing advocates–to ensure our residents are best supported.
Over a six-month period, our staff will help residents access resources, find employment, and transition to permanent housing.
Born from Crisis, Built with Purpose
This project emerged following the Pajaro Levee break, which displaced many unhoused individuals living along the riverbanks. Through partnerships between Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, the City of Watsonville, Dignity Moves, and Westview Presbyterian Church—and with extensive community outreach—we’ve created a solution that addresses immediate needs while supporting long-term stability for our residents.
While some community members oppose this project, CAB stands ready to collectively work towards solutions in partnership with our neighbors, stakeholders and funders.
A Proven Track Record
For 60 years, CAB has been a trusted messenger in this community, serving more than 13,000 people annually. During the pandemic, we provided $4 million in economic relief to our most vulnerable neighbors and helped outreach to and provide disaster relief for those impacted by the fires and floods.
Our Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Services Department has consistently delivered comprehensive services to unhoused neighbors, from case management to connections to services, employment support and housing assistance. We were one of the first ones to outreach to unhoused folks during COVID-19, providing connection and resources to shelter. We meet our unhoused community’s needs as they arise and this Tiny Homes Village is an extension of that work. Our first priority is to help Pajaro River levee occupants to move away from encampments and into secure housing.
Addressing Community Concerns
In response to community concerns, we’re implementing: ● Security and 24/7 video surveillance ● Regular neighborhood clean-ups ● Open house for community members to visit and learn about the project ● Community information sessions and educational events Our door-to-door outreach has already shown that when people understand what we’re actually doing, attitudes shift from “no” to “oh!”
Many fears stem from misunderstandings about both the purpose of the center and the people it will serve. The truth is that many of our unhoused neighbors have lived in Watsonville their entire lives. They’re part of our community. Housing them isn’t just compassionate—it’s practical community investment.
We are passionate about the issues of homelessness and are committed to building community solutions at CAB because our team reflects the community we serve. These are our community members, our family members, and understanding the challenges our participants face means we can provide even more effective support.
Values in action of dignity, respect and hope anchor our work and have guided our efforts as we created CAB’s Good Neighbor Policy, operating procedures and protocols, and as we continue to hire committed and qualified staff. The Time Is Now: On March 11th, the Watsonville City Council will make a final decision on this project. Due to funding restrictions, if we don’t move forward now, we risk losing this opportunity entirely.
We know housing-first approaches work and result in higher rates of long-term success than traditional models. While this project is just one piece of a comprehensive solution to homelessness, it represents an important step we can take right now to help our neighbors transition from survival to stability to thriving.
Recurso de Fuerza is more than just a project—it’s a reflection of who we are as a community. It represents our belief that everyone deserves and has a right to a safe and dignified place to live.
To those who have placed their trust in us, particularly our unhoused neighbors: we are committed to this work with our entire hearts. Together, we can make Recurso de Fuerza a stepping-stone toward a more compassionate and just Watsonville for all. MaríaElena De La Garza Chief Executive Officer Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc.
