HACSC Open and Operational During Federal Government Shutdown

In the event of a federal government shutdown in October 2025, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (HACSC) will remain open and operational.

HACSC is an independent local agency and not part of the federal government. Therefore, our staff will continue to work, and all of our programs and services will continue without interruption. This means that families and landlords participating in HACSC programs can rest assured that their housing assistance will continue to be disbursed, and the agency’s staff will continue to work diligently to meet their needs.

We will monitor the situation closely and keep our community informed if there will be any changes that may affect our programs, our participants, or our landlords.


La Oficina de HACSC estará abierta y seguirá operando durante el cierre del gobierno federal

En caso de un cierre del gobierno federal en octubre de 2025, la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz (HACSC) permanecerá abierta y operativa.

HACSC es una agencia local independiente y no forma parte del gobierno federal. Por lo tanto, nuestro personal continuará trabajando y todos nuestros programas y servicios continuarán sin interrupciones. Esto significa que las familias y los propietarios que participan en los programas de HACSC pueden estar seguros de que su asistencia para vivienda continuará siendo distribuida, y el personal de la agencia continuará trabajando diligentemente para satisfacer sus necesidades.

Vigilaremos la situación de cerca y mantendremos a nuestra comunidad informada si hay algún cambio que pueda afectar nuestros programas, a nuestros participantes o a nuestros propietarios.

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program Announcement

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz operates an Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) Program, created by the federal government in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. When the program was created, the funding originally appropriated by Congress was anticipated by HUD to last through September 30, 2030. However, the funding is running out sooner than planned, due to program costs that were higher than expected. HUD has informed housing authorities that no additional funds will be provided, and that the program will end.  The White House and Congress are not currently proposing to provide additional funds to the Program. Unless additional funding is provided, EHV rental assistance will end in December 2026.

EHV-assisted households have all been sent an EHV Notice letter explaining the status of EHV program funding, and the efforts the Housing Authority is making to connect EHV households to other affordable housing programs. Please view the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program page for more information. Additionally, the Housing Authority encourages all families to sign up for Affordable Housing Alerts at AHA, which will provide information about affordable housing opportunities.

Tenant Workshop 2025

Do you know your rights as a renter? Join us for a FREE Tenant Workshop where you’ll learn important information to help you feel confident and protected in your home. This online workshop will cover:

– Housing conditions & habitability – what your landlord must provide.
– Fair housing laws & discrimination – how to protect yourself and your family.
– Tenants’ rights & responsibilities – what you need to know as a renter.

This is a great chance to ask questions, get clear answers, and connect with resources designed to support you. The workshop will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM on Zoom.

Register, visit tinyurl.com/2025tenantworkshop.

We look forward to seeing you there and helping you feel empowered as a tenant.


Taller de Inquilinos 2025

¿Conoces tus derechos como inquilino? Acompáñanos a un Taller de Inquilinos GRATIS donde aprenderás información importante para sentirte seguro y protegido en tu hogar. Este taller en línea cubrirá:

– Condiciones de vivienda y habitabilidad – lo que tu casero debe proveer.
– Leyes de vivienda justa y discriminación – cómo protegerte a ti y a tu familia.
– Derechos y responsabilidades de los inquilinos – lo que necesitas saber como inquilino.

Esta es una gran oportunidad para hacer preguntas, recibir respuestas claras y conectarte con recursos diseñados para apoyarte. El taller se llevará a cabo el jueves 16 de octubre de 2025 a las 5:00 PM por Zoom.

Registrarte, visita tinyurl.com/2025tenantworkshop.

Esperamos verte ahí y ayudarte a sentirte con más poder como inquilino.

Opportunity Factory Info Session

We are thrilled to invite you to a FREE Info Session about our brand new program, the Opportunity Factory! This special program is designed for those receiving rental assistance from the Housing Authority and those living in Housing Authority communities.

This free info session will share with you the tools provided to help you to get ahead. Whether you’re looking for your first job or aiming to move up, we’re here to help you succeed. At the session, you’ll discover:

– Resume assistance that will help you stand out from the crowd.
– Interview training to boost your confidence and get you ready to shine.
– Career coaching to figure out what you’re good at and which jobs are the best fit.
– Job development support to connect you with real opportunities.

And the best part? The info session isn’t the only thing that is free. It’s ALL completely free!

Join us on Thursday, October 17 at 2:00 PM and take your first step toward a brighter future. Space is limited, so don’t miss out!

Register: tinyurl.com/opportunityfactory

Click here to see flyer.


Oportunidad de una Sesión de Información

¡Estamos muy emocionados de invitarte a una Sesión de Información GRATIS sobre nuestro nuevo programa, the Opportunity Factory! Este programa especial está diseñado para las personas que reciben asistencia de renta de la Autoridad de Vivienda y para quienes viven en comunidades de la Autoridad de Vivienda.

En esta sesión gratis vas a conocer todas las herramientas que te ayudarán a salir adelante. Ya sea que estés buscando tu primer trabajo o quieras avanzar en tu carrera, estamos aquí para ayudarte a tener éxito. En la sesión aprenderás sobre:

– Ayuda con tu currículum para que destaques entre los demás.
– Entrenamiento para entrevistas que te dará confianza y te preparará para brillar.
– Consejería de carrera para descubrir en qué eres bueno y qué trabajos son los mejores para ti.
– Apoyo para desarrollo laboral que te conecta con oportunidades reales.

¿Y lo mejor? ¡No solo la sesión es gratis – todo el programa es completamente gratis!

Acompáñanos el jueves 17 de octubre a las 2:30 PM para la Sesión en Español y da tu primer paso hacia un futuro más brillante. El espacio es limitado, ¡así que no te lo pierdas!

Registrarte: tinyurl.com/opportunityfactory

Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto.

Now Streaming: A Nesting Place

We are proud to share A Nesting Place, a six minute documentary celebrating the launch of Natural Bridges Apartments, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz’s first new affordable housing development in more than 30 years.

Through the voices of residents, community leaders, and the artist whose mural reflects the migration of birds and butterflies, the film explores belonging, transformation, and the meaning of home. A Nesting Place is a tribute to the idea that everyone deserves a nest from which to grow and thrive.

Michael Daniel Media

Summer Landlord Workshop

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz presents their 2025 Summer Landlord Workshop. The summer workshop includes a presentation by Kimball, Tirey, & St. John, LLC. The presentation covers various issues that arise during a tenancy, including the landlord’s right to enter, tenant habitability, dealing with difficult residents, third-party payments, and hoarding.

Don’t miss this opportunity!

Register today: Summer Landlord Workshop

Summer 2025 Newsletter

Want to know what’s going on at the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz? From free events to helpful programs, there’s a lot happening this summer. Check out our latest newsletter and see what’s new!

Summer 2025 Newsletter

¿Quieres saber qué está pasando en la Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz? Hay muchos eventos gratis y programas útiles este verano. Revisa nuestro boletín más reciente y entérate de las novedades.

Boletín de Verano 2025

Project-Based Voucher Request for Proposals (RFP)

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (HACSC) regrets to announce that there will not be a Spring-Summer 2025 Project-Based Voucher Request for Proposals (RFP).

As the housing industry faces the potential of cuts to HUD and other housing assistance programs, many Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) across the nation are already in a “HUD shortfall position” which means they are facing a financial situation where budgeted funds and HUD-held reserves are insufficient to cover necessary Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) for tenants, potentially leading to program disruptions. The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (HACSC) is not in shortfall, and with immediate effect is taking proactive steps to prevent entering into a shortfall position. 

In October 2024, HACSC issued the “Fall 2024 Project Based Voucher (PBV) Request for Proposals (RFP)” and communicated that we planned for a “Twice annual RFP cycle, one in Fall-Winter, one in Spring-Summer, timed to correspond as closely as possible with anticipated tax credit application cycles.” Since that announcement, the federal funding landscape has shifted dramatically and therefore the anticipated Spring-Summer RFP will not be issued.  HACSC will keep developers on our interest list informed of any plans to issue a PBV RFP in the future.  If you have any questions, please contact Eric Johnson, Senior Analyst at  [email protected].

2025 New Horizons Scholarship

The 2025 New Horizons Scholarship is now open! Students receiving rental assistance from the Housing Authority may qualify for a $1,000 scholarship to support their education. Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses.

Applications are open April 1 – May 31, 2025.

Apply today: hacosantacruz.org/scholarship


¡Ya está abierta la beca New Horizons 2025! Si eres estudiante y recibes asistencia para la renta de la Agencia de Vivienda, podrías calificar para una beca de $1,000 para apoyar tu educación. Los fondos de la beca pueden usarse para colegiatura, libros, cuotas y otros gastos educativos.

Las solicitudes están abiertas del 1 de abril al 31 de mayo de 2025.

Aplica hoy: hacosantacruz.org/scholarship

Know Your Rights Forum

The community is invited to the Know Your Rights Forum, an event open to all. Free immigration legal consultations with attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives. Childcare Safety Plan assistance. All available in Spanish, English, and Mixteco.

Se invita a la comunidad al Foro Conozca sus Derechos, un evento abierto a todos. Se ofrecerán consultas legales gratuitas y ayuda con el Plan De Seguridad para el Cuidado de Hijos Menores. Todo disponible en español, inglés y mixteco.

March 22, 2025 | 10 AM – 2 PM | New Brighton Middle School | Capitola