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Although Santa Cruz County is one of the least affordable places to live in the United States, local
government and non-profit agencies are working actively to increase the availability of affordable rental
and ownership housing. There are several programs throughout the County of Santa Cruz which address the general
housing needs. Most, if not all, of these programs have income limits and/or other eligibility criteria. The
programs can be found under the following categories:
There are several organizations in the County which provide services and information on additional resources for persons seeking rental housing or assistance in paying rent. County Programs for Rental Housing:
The Housing Authority offers assistance to very low income households to help them pay their rent. Please see the following pages for more information: Through the Planning Department, First Time Homebuyers, who meet certain income eligibility requirements, can
access two programs for assistance in purchasing price restricted homes:
In addition, each City within the County offers its own First Time Home Buyer's program for homes located
within their jurisdiction:
Other financial assistance programs are available depending upon the qualifications of owners. The Redevelopment Agency and Northern California VOA Elderly Housing, Inc. have partnered to provide support and to upgrade East Cliff Village Townhomes for the elderly. This is a 76 unit apartment complex with one on-site manager's unit. The Redevelopment Agency and Vosti Properties, Inc. have partnered to provide support and to preserve Woodland Senior Apartments for the elderly. This is a 68 unit apartment complex. There are several resources within the County for homeless persons who are looking for housing. The following is a list of some of the organizations with relevant information. The Redevelopment Agency, Human Resources Agency and the Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center have partnered to provide support for a Transitional Housing Program for Young Adults Aged 18-21 who have aged out of child welfare and foster care services. The program is administered out of a four bedroom house and small one-bedroom apartment on Chanticleer Avenue that is owned by the Redevelopment Agency. There is an on-site counselor who is housed in the apartment. The Redevelopment Agency subsidizes the housing by foregoing market rent on both housing units and accept instead half the previous rent revenue. This is funded out of the Agency's low and Moderate Income Housing Fund. In addition, there are other services for youth who are seeking housing in the County of Santa Cruz. The following list provides links to some organizations that might be useful. Services for Youth:
Policy and Legislation:
The Redevelopment Agency and the Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center have partnered to provide support in rehabilitating a six-bedroom, two-bath single-family dwelling into low and very low income housing for chronically mentally disabled adults There are several resources within the County for Disabled persons who are looking for housing. The following is a list of some of the organizations with relevant information. In partnership with non-profit developers, the Housing Section has completed several projects that address reconstruction of seriously dilapidated farm worker housing. The following is a list of Completed Projects (Please contact the Property Manager for information on available units):
There are also several other organizations that provide valuable information on Farm Worker Housing Needs. Other Local, State and Federal Links/Resources There are several local, state and federal organizations that provide information on housing needs. City Agencies:
County Agencies:
State Agencies:
Federal Agencies:
Non-Profit Organizations:
LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
SHELTERS AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING:
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