Housing & Homeless Services
Click on a category below to get started on your housing resource search.
2-1-1 Tips
If you are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis, call 2-1-1 for available resources.
Some programs offer financial assistance if you are behind on your rent or mortgage payment or if you need help with a rent deposit. Other programs may help with the cost of making your home more energy efficient or improving accessibility to enable independent living for seniors and people with disabilities. Be sure to check the eligibility information in each entry to see if the program is a good fit for you.
Click on a link below to search for resources.
Rent Payment Assistance
Rental Deposit Assistance
Home Maintenance and Minor Repair Services
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Assistance
Home Renovation Programs
2-1-1 Tips
If you are homeless or experiencing a housing crisis, call 2-1-1 for available resources.
Click on a link below to search for resources.
Emergency Shelters for Homeless Individuals and Families
Emergency Shelters for Survivors of Domestic Violence
Emergency Shelters for Runaway Youth
Emergency Shelters for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Homeless Drop In Centers
Bathing Facilities
Temporary Mailing Address
Hot Meal Programs
2-1-1 Tips
Two key programs for affordable housing based on income are the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program and Low-Rent Public Housing.
Through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, participants who are issued a voucher choose their own rental unit from a private landlord and the local housing authority pays part of ongoing rental costs directly to the landlord.
Through Low-Rent Public Housing, participants live in designated complexes owned and operated by a local Housing Authority and are charged rent that is 30% of the household’s income.
Neither program provides a quick answer to affordable housing. However, if you are interested in these options for the future, the first step is applying to get on the wait lists of programs you are eligible for when you can.
Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County is not currently accepting applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and those wait-lists are closed. Please check the Housing Authority website for up-to-date information on housing programs, waiting lists and resources at www.hacosantacruz.org. As of September 2019, there are some programs accepting pre-applications: Restar Residential in Watsonville, El Centro Apartments in Santa Cruz, and USDA-RD farmworker housing. The pre-applications can be downloaded from the website.
There are also affordable housing options available through nonprofit organizations. Click on the “Low Income/Subsidized Rental Housing” link below to find all those options.
Click on a link below to search for resources.
Low Income/Subsidized Rental Housing
Subsidized Home Purchase
Housing Counseling
Senior Housing Information & Referral
2-1-1 Tips
Some programs help tenants and landlords understand their rights, resolve issues, and answer common questions.
Click on a link below to search for resources.
Tenant Rights Information/Counseling
Landlord/Tenant Dispute
Landlord Rights Information/Counseling
Housing Code Enforcement
Dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for more help.
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week AND is free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.
