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.

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

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (HACSC) has revised its Annual and 5-Year Agency Plans, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) Administrative Plan and the Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement inclusive of Agency Specific Waivers in accordance with all applicable Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules and regulations. These revised documents are available for review digitally at https://hacosantacruz.org/general-information/agency-plans/ or in person at the HACSC’s public lobby, located at 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, California. Lobby hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Thursday excluding published holidays.

HACSC invites written comments on the revised Agency Plan, 5-Year Agency Plan, HCV Administrative Plan, and MTW Supplement inclusive of Agency Specific Waivers. Please address your comments to the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, Annual Plan Comments, ATTN: Executive Director, 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010. Comments may also be submitted via email to [email protected]; for email submissions please use Subject Line: Annual Plan Comments. The deadline for written comments is 4:00 PM Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

There will be two public hearings: 

1. An in-person general public hearing will be held at the HACSC Administrative Office, 2170 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, followed immediately by

• An in-person MTW Agency Specific Waiver hearing will also be held at the HACSC Administrative Office, 2170 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:30 AM or immediately upon conclusion of the general public hearing, as applicable.

Persons with disabilities needing information in an accessible format or persons with limited English proficiency needing an interpreter to participate fully in the hearings should contact Courtney Byrd at 831-454-5901 or [email protected] in advance to make arrangements. The public is invited to attend.

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Jenny Panetta, Executive Director

AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA Y PERÍODO DE COMENTARIOS
Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz
Plan Anual/Plan de 5 Años/Suplemento MTW con Exenciones de Agencia

La Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz (HACSC) ha revisado sus Planes Anuales y de 5 años de la Agencia, el Plan Administrativo del Programa de Vales de Elección de Vivienda (HCV, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Suplemento Moving to Work (MTW) que incluye Exenciones Específicas de la Agencia, de acuerdo con todas las normas y reglamentos aplicables del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano (HUD, por sus siglas en inglés). Estos documentos revisados están disponibles para su revisión en formato digital en https://hacosantacruz.org/general-information/agency-plans/ o en persona en el vestíbulo público de HACSC, ubicado en 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, California. El horario de atención del vestíbulo es de 8:00 AM a 4:30 PM, de lunes a jueves, excluyendo días festivos oficiales.

HACSC invita a presentar comentarios por escrito sobre el Plan de la Agencia revisado, el Plan de 5 años de la Agencia, el Plan Administrativo de HCV y el Suplemento MTW, incluyendo las Exenciones Específicas de la Agencia. Por favor, dirija sus comentarios a: La Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz (HACSC), Comentarios sobre el Plan Anual, ala atención del director ejecutivo, 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010. También se pueden enviar comentarios por correo electrónico a [email protected]; para los envíos por correo electrónico, utilice la línea de asunto: Comentarios sobre el Plan Anual. La fecha límite para presentar comentarios por escrito es el martes, 25 de marzo de 2025, a las 4:00 PM.

Habrá dos audiencias públicas:

1. Una audiencia pública general en persona se llevará a cabo en la Oficina Administrativa de HACSC, ubicada en 2170 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, el miércoles, 26 de marzo de 2025, a las 11:00 AM, seguida inmediatamente por

• Una audiencia pública en persona sobre las Exenciones Específicas de la Agencia MTW, que también se realizará en la Oficina Administrativa de HACSC, ubicada en 2170 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA, el miércoles, 26 de marzo de 2025, a las 11:30 AM o inmediatamente después de la conclusión de la audiencia pública general, según corresponda.

Las personas con discapacidades que necesiten información en un formato accesible o las personas con dominio limitado del inglés que necesiten un intérprete para participar plenamente en las audiencias deben comunicarse con Courtney Byrd al 831-454-5901 o [email protected] con anticipación para hacer los arreglos. Se invita al público a asistir.

Autoridad de Vivienda del Condado de Santa Cruz
Jenny Panetta, Directora Ejecutiva