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Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Capitola, California
Last Updated
10 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (PHA Code: CA072), situated in Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, plays a crucial role in providing affordable housing assistance. It manages approximately 5,657 assisted housing units, predominantly through Section 8 housing choice vouchers.
Currently, the Authority is accepting applications or interest for specific housing programs. These include the Other - Pacific Station South (Interest List), Other: Senior Apartments, and SRO housing. While other programs like Public Housing and PBV are currently closed, their statuses can change. Potential applicants should note that eligibility is tied to income limits. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA area is $98,900 per year.
Individuals seeking assistance are encouraged to monitor the Authority's offerings for changes in program availability and new opportunities.
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Family Unification Program (FUP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
The Family Unification Program (FUP) and Family Unification Program – Youth (FUP-Y) vouchers are available. Referrals for FUP and FUP-Y vouchers come from the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department.
Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
The Housing Authority administers a Moderate Rehabilitation single room occupancy project for homeless individuals (Nuevo Sol SROs).
Other Programs Waitlist
Pacific Station South (Interest )
Status
open
Open Date
Jul 1, 2025
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
An interest list for some units at Pacific Station South reopened in July 2025; apply via email at pacificstationsouth.info@fpimgt.com, by phone at 707-708-3260, or by visiting a temporary leasing office.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Oct 10, 2022
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Sunrise Senior Apartments site-based waiting list is open and accepting applications. Pre-applications for Sunrise Senior Apartments were available beginning October 10, 2022. Resetar and El Centro Project Based Voucher waiting lists are also mentioned as open.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The waiting list for Sunrise Senior Apartments is currently accepting pre-applications. Applications can be returned by mail to 2160 41st Ave., Capitola 95010, by FAX to (831) 469-3712, dropped off in the Housing Authority lobby during office hours (Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm), dropped o...
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
El Centro has 45 single room occupancy (SRO) units. Referrals for Nuevo Sol SROs come from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency/ Homeless Persons’ Health Project (HPHP).
Other Programs
8 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The Emergency Housing Voucher Program, created in 2021, is currently closed for new applications, with assisted households being connected to other programs.
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz has closed 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. There is usually a long wait for assistance, typically several years.
This program is for households including a family member aged 18-62 with a disability and is dependent on the closed Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for applicants.
The waiting list for USDA Farmworker Housing (Soledad Townhomes) closed on October 7, 2022. This program is for households earning a substantial portion of their income as farm laborers and who are US citizens or legal permanent residents, with units located in Soledad, CA.
No current waiting list information found for Merrill Road Apartments.
The Public Housing waiting list was last open in July 2011.
The waiting list for this program closed on Friday, October 7, 2022. Applications received after 5:00 pm on October 7, 2022 will not be placed on the waitlist.
The waiting list is currently closed. Pre-applications for the waiting list were available starting October 10, 2022, at The CHISPA website, Housing Authority website, Sunrise Senior Apartments, Hollister Senior Center, and CHISPA's Main Office.
No active waitlist information is available; referrals come from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency/Homeless Persons' Health Project (HPHP).
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz currently has 6 open waiting lists (Family Unification Program (FUP), Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Senior Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $98,900/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz manages approximately 5,657 assisted housing units (5,657 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Capitola. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) open
The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mod Rehab Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) open
The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Capitola. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior Housing program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
EHV Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Capitola. This program serves approximately 5,657 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Rural Development USDA Rural Development Housing closed
The USDA Rural Development Housing program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $98,900. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $41,550 | $69,250 | $111,100 |
| 2 Persons | $47,500 | $79,100 | $127,000 |
| 3 Persons | $53,450 | $89,000 | $142,850 |
| 4 Persons | $59,350 | $98,900 | $158,700 |
| 5 Persons | $64,100 | $106,800 | $171,400 |
| 6 Persons | $68,850 | $114,700 | $184,100 |
| 7 Persons | $73,600 | $122,650 | $196,800 |
| 8 Persons | $78,350 | $130,550 | $209,500 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz — including across state lines.