The City of Martinez announced with the departure of the Homeless Action Coalition in late October from Camp Hope, a homeless camp located at the Waterfront, the City quickly organized a project team to oversee the compassionate closure of the site.
Starting November 2, the team began working with over 20 unhoused individuals at the site, and over the last few weeks, was able to successfully place everyone into shelters or assist in connecting them with friends and family.
The project team included Police, Public Works, case management workers, nonprofits and volunteers. This process included a notice that was posted at the site advising of a clean-up date of November 28. The site has been restored with no remaining tents or personal items.
According to the City of Martinez, in their Nov. 5 announcement, they stated they were working to address several key priorities, including:
- On November 2nd, a team began an onsite assessment of Camp Hope to determine how to support those remaining and identify available shelter or housing.
- On a daily basis, drug and alcohol addiction service providers, along with mental health services, will be at the site to work with those remaining at the camp.
- A private security service with experience working with homeless encampments is being coordinated to supervise the encampment during evening hours.
- Fire and hazardous materials mitigation will be carefully considered in anticipation of clean-up of the site.
In a statement, the city thanked the Homeless Action Coalition for their hard work and compassion in serving the unhoused at Camp Hope — particularly during the depths of the pandemic. As the City transitions to new strategies to address the unhoused in Martinez, we look forward to continuing the collaboration stemming from this project with Contra Costa County; Coordinated Outreach, Referral, and Engagement (CORE); Support 4Recovery; Loaves and Fishes; RESTORE and numerous other volunteers.
The Homeless Action Coalition was a local nonprofit founded by longtime Martinez resident Noralea Gipner who opened the site at the start of the pandemic to help the unhoused community shelter in place and receive COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Noralea Gipner, a former Martinez City Council member was named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.
