Finding a solution to the tent encampment located behind the Española Pathways Shelter has been a challenge for shelter staff.
Facing a deadline to clear out the tents didn’t help. In late December, Fire Marshal Pablo Montoya sent a letter to Pathways Shelter Director Dena Moscola, advising her and staff that the high volume of tents on the property had grown to become a severe fire hazard that could lead to life-threatening conditions for many. At the time the letter was issued, there were 45 tents on the property, but by Jan. 16, there were 20 left and they faced a Jan. 31 deadline to clear those as well.
At the same time the letter was issued, the shelter received funding for a Winter Essentials program, which helped them clear the 25 tents.
“We responded to the fire threat by bringing in an emergency case management team and we increased security,” Moscola said in January. “Over a period of four weeks, our tents were reduced by 25. We now have approximately 20 tents on our property.”
The homeless who were staying in the tents that were dispersed from the parking lot did receive help, she said. All clients were given choices to work with case management to go to other shelters, treatment centers, or reconnect with family and friends.
“Overall, most were cooperative, understood the situation and thanked EPS for the opportunities,” Moscola said. “A total of 15 people moved out of Española and into treatment. There are five more that we are supporting because they are on a short wait list for treatment.”
Moscola said she was going to continue working with those who remained on the property, to get them help, but they did not meet the Jan. 31 deadline to remove all the tents.
“We paused our January deadline because the temperatures suddenly dropped into single digits,” she said via email. “Instead, Jake (Stockwell, the shelter’s operations director) requested the City to start a Code Blue for Española. So far, we have permission to increase our attendance in the shelter when temps drop below 20 degrees. We are looking forward to seeing more offerings added to the Code Blue to help Española residents stay safe during extreme temperatures.”
The City of Santa Fe has a Code Blue policy, which is a set of procedures that is activated when there is threat of death or injury due to severe or cold weather. The policy includes sheltering and outreach options, Moscola said.
Code Blue in Santa Fe is activated when:
• The temperature drops below 15°F
• There is more than six inches of snowfall
• When there is freezing rain
The city’s Alternative Response Unit (ARU) finds and talks with people who are unsheltered and persuades people to go inside to a warm place. In addition, the city sets up additional overflow shelters, provides supplies and security and coordinates with transit services to take people to shelters.
In Santa Fe, people can go to the Interfaith Community Shelter, Consuelo’s Place, the Salvation Army or warming centers offered at recreation centers, libraries and through transit services.
“We’re hoping by next winter there will be a formal process in place in Española,” Moscola said. “We lose people each year to frostbite.”
Assistant Fire Chief John Wickersham said they looked at Code Blue models around the state and the city of Santa Fe is the closest with a Code Blue plan.
“We’re looking at their policies and procedures to implement it in Española,” he said. “We will be working with social services, as well.”
Moscola said the shelter staff continues to work toward their tent reduction goal.
“Now that the fire danger has been reduced on our property, we are making sure that people are not dispersed throughout the city without a plan,” she said. “Since Jan. 1 we provided 38 hotel rooms, helped 11 into detox and rehab, 1 went into recovery housing, 2 are currently waiting beds, 1 found permanent housing.”
As a result of the reduction in tents on the shelter’s property, Moscola said there are less fires, a decrease in crime, an increase in overnight shelter usage, less daytime commotion and reduced tension.
However, Assistant Fire Chief John Wickersham said despite the decrease in tents, they still have issues with the number on site.
He wasn’t sure how many remain and Moscola didn’t answer when asked how many tents are still on the property.
“We still need to go out and do a formal follow-up and see what their plan is,” Wickersham said.