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.

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.

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.

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

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].

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

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