Category Archives: News

AGENCY REPORT 2019/2020: 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

The Housing Authority of the  County of Santa Cruz provides affordable housing to thousands of low-income individuals and families in our community each year. Through our programs, we’ve been changing lives and building stronger communities for 50 years! Check out our 50th Anniversary Agency Report to learn more about our programs, the families we serve, and how we’re working to provide and promote affordable housing.

Sunrise Senior Apartments in Hollister: Site-Based Waiting List Opening

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz will open a new site based waiting list for Project Based Voucher (PBV) assistance units at the Sunrise Senior Apartments located at 580 Westside Blvd., in Hollister. Sunrise Senior Apartments is being developed by Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association, Inc. (CHISPA) for occupancy by low income households with a head of household or spouse who is at least 62 years of age or older. There will be a total of 48 project based units at Sunrise Senior Apartments. Five units are designated for homeless veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program, as referred by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This new site based waiting list is for the remaining 43 one-bedroom units. For more information about the Project Based Voucher Program, click here.

Pre-applications for the Sunrise Senior Apartments waiting list will be available beginning March 5, 2019. If you as the head of household or your spouse is age 62 or older, and you are interested in residing Sunrise Senior Apartments, complete a Sunrise Senior Apartments pre-application. Pre-applications for the waiting list will be available:

  • by downloading from our website
  • from our lobby at 2160 41st Avenue in Capitola, CA during office hours Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • by calling our Waiting List Center at (831) 454-5950
  • from the CHISPA website: www.chispahousing.org
  • from Buena Vista Apartments: 810 Buena Vista Road, Hollister – outside the Management Office
  • from Hollister Senior Center: 300 West St, Hollister, CA
  • from CHISPA’s main Office: 295 Main Street, Suite 100, Salinas, CA 93901

To be added to the Sunrise Senior Apartments waiting list, return a complete pre-application to the Housing Authority between March 5th and 5 pm March 19, 2019. Pre-applications must be received by – not postmarked by – 5pm on March 19th. You can return the form:

  • by mail to 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola 95010 (received – not postmarked by – 3/19/19)
  • by FAX to (831) 469-3712
  • drop off in the Housing Authority lobby at 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola 95010 during office hours, Monday-Thursday 8:00 am – 500 pm
  • drop off after hours using the exterior Drop Box located to the left of the Housing Authority entrance

All pre-applications will be assigned a random sequence number from a computer. There is no advantage for submitting this pre-application early.

To find out more information about this site, you are encouraged to call:

  • CHISPA at (831) 757-6254  TDD: (831) 758-9481 for information on availability of units and eligibility criteria
  • The Housing Authority at (831) 454-5950 for information on completing or submitting a pre-application for this waiting list

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides equal opportunity to all applicants for participating in the Housing Authority’s Programs, and is an equal opportunity employer. The Housing Authority does not discriminate based on race, ancestry, color, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, age, citizenship, handicap or familial status. If you have any questions, please contact our Waiting List Information Line at (831) 454-5950.

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Apartamentos de Sunrise Senior en Hollister: Apertura de la Lista de Espera basada en Sitio

La Autoridad de Viviendas del Condado de Santa Cruz abrirá una lista de espera para ayuda de vivienda con Comprobante basado en el proyecto Sunrise Senior Apartments, ubicado en Blvd. Westside 580, en Hollister. Estos apartamentos se están construyendo bajo el auspicio de Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association, Inc. (CHISPA) para ser ocupados por hogares de bajos ingresos, si la persona principal de la familia o su cónyuge tiene por lo menos 62 años de edad. Hay un total de 48 unidades basadas en el proyecto Sunrise Senior Apartments. Cinco unidades están designadas para veteranos sin hogar que estén participando en el programa HUD-VASH, como lo especifica el Departamentos de Asuntos de Veteranos. Esta nueva lista de espera para las unidades de este proyecto es para las 43 unidades de una recámara restantes.

Las Solicitudes previas para la lista de espera de Sunrise Senior Apartments estará disponible a partir del 5 de marzo de 2019. Si usted, como persona principal de la familia, o su cónyuge, ha cumplido los 62 años  de edad, y está interesado en residir el los Sunrise Senior Apartments, complete la solicitud previa para Sunrise Senior Apartments. La solicitud previa para la lista de espera estará disponible:

  • Bajándola de nuestro sitio de internet. Haga clic aquí: website
  • En nuestro hall de entrada de Avenida 41 Nº 2160 en Capitola, CA durante el horario de oficina, de lunes a jueves entre las 8:00 y las 17:00 horas
  • Llamando a nuestro Centro de Información de la lista de espera al (831) 454-5950
  • En el sitio de CHISPA: chispahousing.org,
  • En Buena Vista Apartments: Buena Vista Road 810, Hollister -afuera de la oficina administrativa
  • En el Senior Center de Hollister: calle West 300, Hollister, CA
  • En la oficina principal de CHISPA: calle Main 295, Suite 100, Salinas, CA. 93901

Para ser agregado a la lista de espera de Sunrise Senior Apartments, preséntele a la Autoridad de Viviendas una solicitud previa completada, entre el 5 de marzo y el 19 de marzo de 2019. Las solicitudes previas deben ser recibidas -no selladas por el correo- antes de las 17:00 horas del 19 de marzo de 2019. Puede entregar el formulario de solicitud previa:

  • Por correo: 2160 41st Ave., Capitola, CA 95010 (recibido -no sellado por el correo- para el 19 de marzo de 2019)
  • Por FAX al (831) 469-3712
  • Entregándolo personalmente en el hall de entrada de la Autoridad de Viviendas en la Avenida 41 Nº 2160, Capitola, durante el horario de oficina, de lunes a jueves entre las 8:00 y las 17:00 horas.
  • Después del horario de oficina, poniéndolo en la caja apropiada a la izquierda de la entrada a la Autoridad de Viviendas.

La computadora asignará un número al azar a todas las solicitudes previas. No hay ventaja en presentarlas prontamente.

Para más información sobre este proyecto, lo alentamos a llamar a:

  • CHISPA, al (831) 757-6254, TDD (831) 758-9481 para información sobre la disponibilidad de unidades y el criterio de calificación
  • La Autoridad de Viviendas, al 831-454-5950, para información sobre cómo completar o presentar la solicitud previa para la lista de espera

La Autoridad de Viviendas del Condado de Santa Cruz provee igualdad de oportunidad a todos los solicitantes que deseen participación en los programas de la Autoridad de Viviendas, y es también una compañía cuyos empleados gozan de igualdad de oportunidad. La Autoridad de Viviendas no discrimina en base a raza, antepasados, color, religión, estado matrimonial, sexo, orientación sexual, nacionalidad de origen, afiliación política, edad, ciudadanía, discapacidad o estado familiar. Si tiene alguna pregunta llame por favor a la Línea de información sobre la lista de espera, 831-454-5950.

                                                                                                                                                     

Housing Authority Agency Plan

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz has prepared a draft Agency Plan in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements. The proposed plan is available for review and inspection during normal business hours at the following location: Housing Authority office, 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010. The plan is also available on our website. The Housing Authority invites public comment on the draft. The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the Agency Plan at 11:30 am on March 20, 2019, at the Housing Authority office main conference room. Public comment can be made at the public hearing or by submitting comments in writing prior to March 20, 2019 to the Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, 2160 41st Ave., Capitola, CA 95010. Phone: 831-454-9455; TDD: 831-475-1146.

Art Contest: “What Home Means to Me”

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz invites all children and youth (grades Kindergarten through 12th grade) who are residing in assisted housing to create a poster on what home means to them. We will award three winners, one for each school-age group, with a $50 gift card for art and school supplies, an annual family membership to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH), and a framed copy of their poster. We will also frame a copy of the winning posters to hang in our office lobby, and submit the original copies into a national contest!    Twelve national winners will receive a $100 Visa gift card, and the grand prize winner will be awarded an iPad, and a trip with a family member to Washington, D.C. where he or she will be honored at a national conference and receive a tour of Capitol Hill.

School-Age Groups:
Elementary – K to 5th grade;
Middle – 6th – 8th grade;
High – 9th – 12th grade

  • Theme – “What Home Means to Me”
  • Size – All posters must be 22” x 28” flat enough to mail
  • Media – Contestants may use any art media (marker, crayon, paint, collage, textiles, etc.), but please consider that posters will need to be packaged, mailed and reproduced
  • Provide a short written description on “What Home Means to Me.” Sign the permission/release form.

Questions? Please call Kate at (831)454-9455.

Due Date: January 17, 2019

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Concurso de Arte: “Que significa para mí el hogar”

La Autoridad de Viviendas del Condado de Santa Cruz invita a todos los niños y jóvenes (grado Kindergarten a 12 grado) que residen en viviendas subsidiadas a crear un póster sobre qué significa para mi el hogar. Tendremos tres ganadores, uno por cada grupo de edad escolar, con una tarjeta de regalo de $50 para artículos de arte y escolares, una membresía anual al Museo de Arte e Historia de Santa Cruz (MAH) para la familia, y una copia enmarcada de su póster. Tambien enmarcaremos una copia de los posters ganadores y los colgaremos en nuestra oficina y enviaremos las copias originales a un concurso nacional! Doce ganadores nacionales recibiran una tarjeta de regalo Visa de $100, y el ganador del premio mayor recibirá un iPad y un viaje con un miembro de la familia a Washington D.C., donde el o ella será honrado/a en una conferencia nacional y recibirán un recorrido por el Capitolio.

Grupos de edad escolar:
Primaria: de K a 5º grado
Intermedia: de 6º a 8º grado;
Secundaria: de 9º a 12º grado.

  • Tema – “Qué significa para mí el hogar”
  • Tamaño – todos los pósters deben medir 22×28 pulgadas, planos suficientemente para enviar por correo
  • Medios – el concursante puede usar cualquier medio astístico (marcadores, crayolas, pintura, collage, textiles, etc.) pero por favor consideren que los pósters tienen que ser empaquetados, enviados por correo y reproducidos.
  • Proporcione una breve descripción escrita de “Qué significa para mi el hogar”. Firme el formulario de permiso/autorización

Preguntas? Por favor llame a Kate al (831) 454-9455

Fecha para entregar el Póster: antes del 17 de enero de el 2019

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8) WAITING LIST IS OPEN!

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz has opened the Waiting List for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program for both the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista. The waiting list will be open until Thursday December 6, 2018 at 5 pm.

The order of the waiting list will be determined by a lottery, so there is no advantage to submitting a pre-application early.  All pre-applications received by December 6, 2018 at 5 pm will be included in the lottery.

For more information about the application process and next steps, click here.

Hard copies of the application are available in our office or can be printed from our website here.

The Housing Authority can accept pre-applications in four ways:

  • Online – When you complete it online you will get an immediate confirmation.
  • By mail to 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA. 95010 – must be received by, not postmarked, by Dec 6, 2018.
  • Return your completed pre-application in-person Monday – Thursday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, or after-hours to the drop box located to the left of the entrance.
  • By FAX to (831) 469-3712.

The Waiting List will close on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 5 pm. All complete pre-applications submitted while the waiting list is open will be added to the waiting list.

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LA LISTA DE ESPERA PARA EL COMPROBANTE PARA SELECCIÓN DE VIVIENDA (SECCIÓN 8) ESTA ABIERTA!

La Autoridad de Viviendas del Condado de Santa Cruz ha abierto la Lista de Espera para el Programa de Comprobante para Selección de Vivienda (Sección 8) para el condado de Santa Cruz y para las ciudades de Hollister y San Juan Bautista. La lista de espera estará abierta hasta el 6 de diciembre del 2018, a las 5 pm.

El orden en la lista de espera se determinará mediante un sorteo, por lo que no es una ventaja presentar una solicitud previa con anticipación.  Todas las solicitudes previas recibidas antes del 6 de diciembre de las 5 pm serán includidas en el sorteo.

Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de solicitud y los próximos pasos, haga clic aquí.

Copias de la solicitud previa están disponibles en nuestra oficina o se pueden imprimir de nuestro sitio web aquí.

La Autoridad de Viviendas puede aceptar solicitudes previas de cuatro maneras:

  • En línea. Cuando aplica en línea recibirá una confirmación inmediata.
  • Por correo a 2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA. 95010 – debe ser recibida (sin considerar la fecha del sello) a más tardar el 6 de diciembre de 2018.
  • En persona, de lunes a jueves de 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, o después de las horas de oficina y fines de semana en el buzón ubicado a la izquierda de la entrada de la oficina.
  • Por FAX al (831) 469-3712.

La lista de espera se cerrará el jueves 6 de diciembre del 2018 a las 5 pm. Todas las solicitudes previas completas enviadas mientras la lista de espera este abierta se agregarán a la lista de espera.

Yes on Measure H

The affordable housing crisis affects all of us in Santa Cruz County. Here at the Housing Authority, we provide housing and rental assistance to thousands of low-income families who might otherwise be priced out of our local rental market or even face homelessness. Still, the need for affordable housing is far greater than the number of affordable units or assistance available. The development of affordable housing is directly aligned with the Housing Authority’s mission, and will help the Housing Authority fulfill our goal to help all Section 8 voucher holders find a rental unit and to expand the number of units with project based voucher assistance. Therefore, the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners joins Affordable Housing Santa Cruz County in endorsing Measure H.

Landlord and Property Management Workshop

Learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Tenant Screening, Rental Unit Inspections, Landlord Termination Process, Rent Reasonableness, Payment Standards, and Annual Renewal Process are a few of the topics that will be covered by Housing Authority Staff. Please RSVP by September 26th, 2018. To get more information or to reserve your space click here.

Free Financial Literacy Classes at County Libraries and Children’s and Teen’s Books & Media Go Fine-Free

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries are offering free financial literacy classes. According to Library Director Susan Nemitz, “Financial literacy is critical skill that isn’t always taught in school or at home. Yet the ability to make financially responsible decisions is an important part of everyday life. Making sure people have these skills can help improve outcomes for our entire community.” The library is offering no-cost learning opportunities to bridge the gap in knowledge. Lear more about SCPL at SantacruzPL.org. The Santa Cruz Public Libraries (SPCL) is celebrating 150 years of library service by giving the gift of reading to every child and teen in the county. Starting on September 10th, 2018 all children’s and teen’s books and media will become fine-free.

Financial Literacy
Financial Fridays
Money Mondays
SCPL Sesquicentennial Back-to-School Celebration

Pippin Orchard Apartments: Site-Based Waiting List Opening

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the opening of a site-based waiting list. Pippin Orchards Apartments opens fall of 2018 and is located at 56 Atkinson Lane in Watsonville. Pippen Orchard has new affordable 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms apartments.

The site-based waiting list will be open from Monday, July 23, 2018 at 8:30 am to Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 5 pm. The leasing office hours at 8:30 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. There is no advantage to submitting the pre-application packet early as a computer program will assign a random number to each application. Mailed pre-applications postmarked but not received by 8/7/18 will not be accepted. If you have any questions about applying for Pippen Orchards Apartments, please contact MidPen Housing at 831-707-2150.

At Pippen Orchard Apartments there will be both project based voucher (PBV) unit and non-project based units. In the PBV programs, assistance is tied to the unit, not the household. Households must reside in Pippin Orchards Apartments for at least one year before being potentially eligible to transfer assistance. As not all the apartments will be project based, there will be a separate waiting list for those units. Households may apply for both waiting lists.

Please contact Midpen with questions you have about Pippin Orchards Apartments: 831-707-2150.

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APARTAMENTOS DE PIPPIN ORCHARDS: APERTURA DE LA LISTA DE ESPERA EN SITIO

La Autoridad de Viviendas del Condado de Santa Cruz se complace en anunciar la apertura de una lista de espera basada en sitio. Los Apartamentos de Pippin Orchards abrirán en otoño de 2018 y están ubicados en 56 Atkinson Lane en Watsonville. Pippen Orchard tiene apartamentos nuevos y accesibles de 1, 2 y 3 habitaciones.

La lista de espera basada en sitio estará abierta desde el lunes 23 de julio de 2018 a las 8:30 a.m. hasta el martes 7 de agosto de 2018 a las 5 p.m. Las horas de oficina de arrendamiento son de 8:30 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. No es ventajoso presentar el paquete de pre-solicitud anticipadamente ya que un programa de computadora asignará un número aleatorio a cada aplicación. Las pre-solicitudes enviadas por correo con sello postal pero no recibidas antes del 8/7/18 no serán aceptadas. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre la solicitud de los Apartamentos de Pippen Orchards, comuníquese con MidPen Housing al 831-707-2150.

En los apartamentos de Pippen Orchard habrá unidades de comprobantes basados ​​en proyectos (PBV) y unidades no basadas en proyectos. En el programa PBV, la asistencia está ligada a la unidad, no a la familia. Las familias deben residir en los Apartamentos de Pippin Orchards durante al menos un año antes de ser potencialmente elegibles para transferir la asistencia. Como no todos los apartamentos estarán basados ​​en proyectos, habrá una lista de espera separada para esas unidades. Las familias pueden solicitar ambas listas de espera.

Si tiene preguntas sobre los Apartamentos de Pippin Orchards, por favor comuníquese con MidPen: 831-707-2150.

Servicios de interpretación gratuitos están disponibles. Por favor, solicite ayuda en la oficina de MidPen.

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Phone/Télefono (831) 454-9455 Ÿ  TDD (831) 475-1146

If you need assistance completing the pre-application packet,
please contact the Housing Authority Waiting List Call Center at (831) 454-5950.

Si necesita ayuda para completar el paquete de solicitud previa, comuníquese con el Centro de Información de la Lista de Espera de la Autoridad de Viviendas al (831) 454-5950. 

 

The Housing Authority is Moving!

Beginning July 16, 2018 the Housing Authority will be located at:

2160 41st Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: (831) 454-9455
Fax: (831) 469-3712

For moving purposes, our office will be closed Wednesday, July 11th through Friday, July 13, 2018.

We will resume regular business hours and operation in our new location on Monday, July 16, 2018.

Our Watsonville dropbox, currently located at the Watsonville Main Library will be removed effective 7/31/2018.