Our Endorsements

This proposed multifamily residential development consists of 52 units to address the growing demand for diverse and sustainable housing options. 20% of the units will be for low-income households, contributing to both housing affordability and economic vitality in the region.

The project will include a combination of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units to meet the needs of a diverse resident population. On-site amenities may include secure bicycle parking, EV charging stations, a community room, and outdoor recreational areas, encouraging a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.

This parcel was listed on the Site Inventory List of the Housing Element, which was approved along with other parcels in December 2024. The project will adhere to the Santa Cruz Sustainability Update Objective Standards. The developer, Workbench, has submitted an SB 330 Pre-Application, done in partnership with the United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz (UMC). For years, UMC has had a desire to build housing on this vacant lot. At a May 2025 community meeting, church leaders and developers presented a proposal for a complex with at least half of homes offered below market rate rent.

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This is a 100% affordable apartment community with 256 homes designed for individuals and families. This development will feature a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, including three unrestricted two-bedroom units reserved for the on-site property managers.

With 20 studio units (approximately 432 square feet each), 100 one-bedroom units (average of 673 square feet each), 71 two-bedroom units (average of 846 square feet each), and 65 three-bedroom units (approximately 1,140 square feet each), 41st & Soquel Apartments will provide affordable housing for individuals and families earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI) for Santa Cruz County, with an average affordability of just under 60% AMI.

Developers Linc Housing and Pacific West Communities received over $115 million in tax credits and a $105 million low-interest loan in August 2025. The project is fully funded and developers are working to secure building permits, with construction expected to begin in January 2026, wrote the project’s development partner, Lauren Alexander, in September 2025.

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This development consists of 25 townhomes - 22 three-bedroom homes and 3 four-bedroom homes - ranging from approximately 1,300 square feet to 2,100 square feet in size and including four homes offered at below market rate..

The project will provide 94 parking spaces with 80 spaces in garages and driveways, and 14 parallel spaces along the interior roadway at the eastern boundary of the site for guest parking.

A bicycle repair station will be installed in a new park proposed within a common area of the project site to encourage bicycling by residents. The bicycle repair station would provide repair tools and space to use them, which would support the use of bicycles for transportation in and out of the project site.

The developer is Claudio Locatelli.

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A total of 225 units, 39 of them affordable, are proposed for this six-story building. This development will feature 86 vehicle parking spaces and 283 bicycle parking spaces.

Four commercial buildings would be demolished, according to city documents. About 1,400 square feet of ground-floor commercial space is expected. Because the lot is in the floodplain of Branciforte Creek, the developer has proposed to raise the elevation of the site to remove it from the floodplain.

New 15-foot-wide sidewalks and landscaping are proposed. A City of Santa Cruz vision for Ocean Street is for it to become “an attractive, pedestrian-friendly shopping district where local residents can fulfill many of their daily shopping needs without having to drive” by 2030.

Oakland-based Riaz Capital is the developer. Santa Cruz-based Workbench is the architect.

In December 2025, a building permit application was submitted to the CIty of Santa Cruz.

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This 100-unit affordable housing development, which broke ground in August 2025 and is expected to be complete in July 2027, consists of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units that range from 30% - 70% area median income.

Amenities onsite include offices for property management and services, a community room, bike parking, and a playground area.

99 units will be deed-restricted affordable units through a regulatory agreement with the tax credit allocation committee. One unit has been reserved as a manager’s unit. The units’ mix is as follows: 21 one-bedroom units (approximately. 450 square feet each), 40 two-bedroom units (approximately 710 square feet each) and 39 three-bedroom units (approximately 950 square feet each).

The developers are Workbench and CRP Affordable Housing and Development.

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This proposed development is a mixed-use project with 389 housing units, 9,570 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 415 vehicle parking spaces and 494 bicycle parking spaces, and a mid-block pedestrian paseo.

54 units, or 20% of the base density project (273 units) will have legally binding affordability requirements, including 36 very-low-income (50% area median income) households and 18 low-income (80% area median income) households.

The types and number of units are as follows:

Studio - 46 units, average 507 square feet

1 bedroom - 206 units, average 662 square feet

2 bedroom - 120 units, average 1,055 square feet

3 bedroom - 15 units, average 1,247 square feet

4 bedroom - 2 units, average 1,420 square feet

Update: On July 24, 2025, local media reported that developer High Street Residential had backed out of this project, leaving the future of this site undetermined.

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The proposal for this five-story development includes ground-floor shops with four stories of housing above them. Of this development’s 59 units, eight very-low income units have been discussed, based on state-set income limits.

The Food Bin and Herb Room and a takeout coffee bar are planned for the ground floor, with studio apartments above them. Plans include 10 electric vehicle charging stations, two accessible parking spaces, and 92 bicycle parking spaces. The developer, Workbench, has said the hope is for a “car-free community.”

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Peace United Church of Christ has been working since 2017 with a local housing development team, including Workbench, to develop rental housing, including affordable units, on its property behind the church sanctuary and community hall.

The Peace Village Housing Project proposes one apartment building that would contain 40 dwelling units. Those 40 units include 11 studios, three one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units; four three-bedroom units, six four-bedroom co-living units; and one five-bedroom co-living unit.

Four units are proposed to be income restricted as affordable to very low-income households, and five additional units are proposed to be income restricted as affordable to low-income households. These nine affordable units are a mix of studios through three-bedroom units, comprising 22.5% of the total units in the project and 20% of the bedrooms in the project.

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission approved this project in November 2023 and the Santa Cruz City Council approved it in February 2024. Construction is anticipated to take 18 months.

As of mid-January 2026, developer Workbench had noted on its website that it is seeking entitlement and investment, meaning such work as permitting is underway.

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Located on nearly 1.5 acres, Park Haven Plaza will be a 36-unit project designed as one new, three-story building with tuck-under parking in the rear to take advantage of a natural 13-foot grade change. The project will have a community center and space for on-site management and resident services.

Park Haven Plaza will be a Santa Cruz County Project Homekey site. It is located near residential uses, urban open space, schools and Cabrillo College. It's also near the Santa Cruz Metro bus stop that has access to four lines, including the 69W and 71, which take riders to and from Watsonville and Downtown Santa Cruz.

All units in the project will be deed-restricted affordable to 30% of average median income or below.

This development experienced a funding shortfall; however, in December the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee awarded the developement a tax-exampt bond allocation and that, along with tax credits spanning the next decade, allowed construction to resume in January 2026. The developer is Novin Development.

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Harvey West Studios , a project of nonprofit Housing Matters, will be the largest permanent supportive housing project in Santa Cruz County.

Located on the Housing Matters campus in the city of Santa Cruz, 120 studio units with 300 feet of living space in each will be used as permanent supportive housing.

This development also features one manager's unit with a ground floor recuperative care center, behavioral health clinic, and a residential lobby with shared residential space and service provision space.

This project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026. The developer is MidPen Housing.

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This development features 50 units of below-market-rate supportive housing for people with disabilities. Its construction was completed in February 2025.

On-site amenities include a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, a computer room, outdoor terrace, landscaped garden area, secure bike parking, and meeting and services spaces. Residents of Jessie Street Terrace receive a suite of services, programs, and case management tailored to individual needs.

The developer is MidPen Housing.

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For this project, a Victorian-era house was converted into seven units of permanent supportive housing, with residents moving in beginning in September 2023.

This is permanent supportive housing for those who have been chronically homeless. Casa Azul residents have experienced homelessness for at least a year – or repeatedly over a period of years – while struggling with a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability.

Casa Azul is owned by nonproft Housing Matters, with development conducted by Envision Housing and design and construction conducted by Workbench. Funders: New Way Homes, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Bank, Common Spirit, Kaiser Permanente, and private donors.

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This 140-unit, five-story mixed-income development will serve households making 30% to 80% area median income. It will include 64 studios, 53 one-bedroom units, 20 two-bedroom units and 3 three-bedroom units.

35 units will be special-needs and supportive-service units.

This development includes ground-floor retail, parking, proximity to a major bus line and walking distance from retail.

The developer, Novin Development, states it plans to break ground on this project in late 2025 and welcome residents by mid 2028.

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This project features 53 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable units set in 2 three-story buildings.

Eden Housing broke ground on Tabasa Gardens in May 2022 and the ribbon-cutting took place in May 2024.

Tabasa Gardens serves residents earning between 25% to 50% of the area’s median income. Approximately half of the units are reserved for people employed as farmworkers. There are also six units dedicated to households experiencing homelessness.

The ground level of the building includes a management office for the full-time community manager, as well as an office for a resident services coordinator who provides such services as wellness, career, education and financial literacy programming to help residents succeed. There is also an office for onsite case-management support from Santa Cruz County to assist the households transitioning from homelessness.

Designed with sustainability in mind, this community is GreenPoint rated, meaning it achieves energy efficiency, water conservation, healthy indoor air, and efficient resource use. This community includes solar panels over carports, low-flow water fixtures, Energy Star appliances and dedicated indoor bike parking.

The property also includes a computer room, community room, laundry facilities and an outdoor barbecue and play area.

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Construction on this 57-unit affordable family and supportive housing began In May 2022, with residents welcomed in 2023. This development features one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

For this mixed-use housing and health hub, developer MidPen Housing partnered with Dientes Community Dental Care and Santa Cruz Community Health Centers to create a campus that co-locates affordable housing with affordable health care services, the first campus of its kind in Santa Cruz County.

All residents have access to services onsite, as well as case management for those with supportive housing needs.

Community amenities include a spacious community room with kitchen, a learning center, and a multipurpose meeting room for gatherings and programs. The central courtyard provides BBQ areas and play structures, while the community garden offers a peaceful space to grow and connect.

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An applicant for Project Homekey funds, this proposed project would renovate the Rodeway Inn and convert it into permanent supportive housing units in the extremely low-income category. Some units would be set aside for individuals with mobility disabilities and for individuals with visual or hearing impairments. This is an important project due to its permanent supportive housing component.

The developer is Shangri-La Industries.

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz lists 1620 West Beach Street as a project in development with conditionally awarded project‑based vouchers.

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This 64-unit, 100% affordable apartment building is located on the grounds of Calvary Church. It broke ground in June 2022 and residents began moving in in early 2024.

This development features one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, a pet-friendly policy, and ground-floor commercial space.

The developer was Matt Tunney.

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Sparrow Terrace is an affordable community in Watsonville that began welcoming residents in summer 2025. This innovative development was born out of a collaboration between MidPen Housing and Encompass Community Services.

Thirty-five units are set aside for individuals and families employed as farmworkers, and six units serve formerly homeless individuals.

This community offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes with all-electric kitchens featuring refrigerators, oven/ranges, air conditioning, extra storage, and dishwashers in non-studio units.

Shared amenities include a community room with a kitchen, after-school learning center, playground, on-site laundry facilities, secure bike storage, and a community garden.

Sparrow Terrace is complemented by a lush garden-style design with green spaces and a revitalized wetlands habitat, and is conveniently located near schools, shopping, retail, restaurants, Callaghan Park Cultural Center, and Arista Park.

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Pacific Station South Apartments, completed in late spring 2024, features 70 units designated for Family Housing, where income restrictions, live/work preferences and occupancy standards apply, and features studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

This development also features 3,660 square feet of retail and restaurant space on the ground floor.

For the Future Housing was the developer.

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Pacific Station North is a planned 128-unit affordable housing community with an expected opening date in early-to-mid 2026. It will be a seven-story building with 128 affordable units with offices, stores and the Santa Cruz Metro office and bus ticket windows.

The project also includes up to 22 bus bays and a canopy. Elm Alley would cut through the site.

The developer is Eden Housing.

The project does not include on-site parking. State law allows developers of affordable housing projects like these to not build parking. 

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An award recipient of Project Homekey funds, the Santa Cruz Veterans Memorial Building Board of Trustees are continuing to convert an existing hotel in Ben Lomond as well as with modular buildings into 25 permanent housing units along with supportive services.

Tenants are already living at Veterans Village, with funding sought to continue to grow this project. Housing will be studios and one-bedrooms units.

In late 2025, Veterans Village received a $1.23 million state tax credit that will allow developers to take out loans to help complete the project. In early 2026, Veterans Village received  $13.3 million secured in federal low-income housing tax credits over 10 years by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee to complete construction.

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This proposed project is 105 units in a six-story building, with a unit mix of 30 studios, 55 junior one-bedrooms, 5 one-bedrooms, and 15 two-bedrooms. There will be 6 extremely low-income units.

The project is a single multifamily residential building over a one-story podium containing the lobby, parking garage, and building services. The second- loor provides an outdoor terrace for residents with landscaping, a lounge area, and other amenities.

The developer is Workbench; according to the developer’s website in mid-January 2026, this project is seeking entitlement and investment, which involves such work as securing permits.

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This project is a 100% affordable, mixed-use housing development proposed by Anton Thurber LLC at the northeast corner of Soquel Drive and Thurber Lane in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.

The project includes 173 total units, of which 171 are income-restricted to households earning less than 80% of area median income. Two units are reserved for on-site managers.

Unit sizes range from approximately 662 to 1,130 square feet across a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Five three-to-five-story residential buildings are paired with approximately 1,800 square feet of neighborhood-serving commercial space, requested by both the County and neighbors.

The project includes 257 parking spaces, 222 bike parking spaces, and an on-site Transportation Demand Management program. A public path connects to transit, parks, and job centers.

Natural resources are protected with a 10-foot buffer around the site's riparian area. Stormwater is managed via on-site filtration.

The project is listed as an Opportunity Site in the County's 2023-2031 Housing Element. The 6.26-acre site, currently vacant, is designated for Urban High-Density Flex Residential and Community Commercial, and zoned RF/C-2. It lies within a focused growth area located at the intersection of one of the County’s Multimodal and Active Connector Corridors, making it well suited for high-density infill housing.

The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission approved this development in September 2025.

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This project will consist of a five-story, 57-unit building. To achieve this, the project is a builder's remedy project and is utilizing SB330. The lot size is 0.88 acres with the new building area coming to 52,919 square feet. This project is located in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County.

The multi-family development unit mix is proposed as three studios, 10 junior one-bedrooms, 35 one-bedrooms, and 15 two-bedrooms. The development will feature one very-low-income and three extremely low-income (ELI) units, which developer Workbench believes makes this project, along with its Paul Sweet Road project’s ELI units, the first ELI-restricted units in Santa Cruz County created in an unsubsidized project (and among only a few projects to do so in the state).

In addition, the project has an agreement with New Way Homes to either add additional affordable units or contribute to the New Way Homes fund to enable more affordable units in another project.

There are 33 parking spaces proposed, including some with electric vehicle charging stations, as well as accessible parking. There are also 16 Class-II bicycle parking spaces proposed.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved this project in mid-February 2026.

Learn more here.

The Calypso Apartments will bring 233 below-market-rate single-room occupancy housing units to the City of Santa Cruz.

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The City of Santa Cruz Workforce Housing Affordability Act of 2025 would add milions of dollars to the City of Santa Cruz Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

This measure was passed by City of Santa Cruz voters in November 2025.

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HSCC’s Measure C Information Page

This bill would expand the eligibility for streamlined, ministerial approval to include developments located in a campus development zone, as defined, as long as the development meets certain affordability requirements and objective standards, as provided. By expanding the scope of projects eligible for streamlined, ministerial approval as described above, this bill would expand the scope of the exemption from CEQA for ministerial projects.

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

This bill would revise and recast the provisions deeming a housing development project an allowable use on any real property owned by a local educational agency.

The bill would provide that a proposed housing development project is eligible for a density bonus, as specified, and would define various terms for these purposes. The bill would extend the operation of these provisions until January 1, 2036.

This bill would provide that an affordable housing project for purposes of the CEQA exemption includes real property owned by a local educational agency, as described above, and would exempt these projects from certain of the requirements for other affordable housing projects.

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

Planning and Zoning Law provides for the creation of an accessory dwelling unit by local ordinance, or, if a local agency has not adopted an ordinance, by ministerial approval, in accordance with specified standards. The law prohibits a local agency from imposing an owner-occupant requirement or any additional standards, except as specified, when evaluating a proposed accessory dwelling unit on a lot that includes a proposed or existing single-family dwelling. The law also prohibits a local agency from imposing parking standards for an accessory dwelling unit, as specified, whether or not the local agency has adopted a local ordinance pursuant to these provisions.

This bill would additionally prohibit a local agency from imposing an owner-occupant requirement for a proposed or existing accessory dwelling unit whether or not the local agency has adopted a local ordinance pursuant to these provisions.

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

The Coastal Act of 1976, which is administered by the California Coastal Commission, requires a person wishing to perform or undertake any development in the coastal zone to obtain a coastal development permit. Existing law excludes a specified power facility from this provision.

This bill would also include, as part of that exclusion, student housing projects and faculty and staff housing projects, as defined. (Note: It is only for small projects of 10 or fewer units.)

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

Under existing law, there are programs providing assistance for, among other things, emergency housing, multifamily housing, farmworker housing, home ownership for very low and low-income households, and downpayment assistance for first-time home buyers. Existing law also authorizes the issuance of bonds in specified amounts pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law and requires that proceeds from the sale of these bonds be used to finance various existing housing programs, capital outlay related to infill development, brownfield cleanup that promotes infill development, and housing-related parks.

This bill would enact the Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026, which, if adopted, would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $10,000,000,000 pursuant to the State General Obligation Bond Law. Proceeds from the sale of these bonds would be used to finance programs to fund affordable rental housing and home ownership programs, including, among others, the Multifamily Housing Program, the CalHome Program, and the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program.

SB417 is a proposed measure for the June 2, 2026, statewide primary election ballot. 

On January 27, 2026, this bill was passed through the Senate and ordered to the Assembly.

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Legiscan

Changes to Housing Element. This bill would require the second analysis to demonstrate that the jurisdiction has accommodated a meaningful portion of its share of the regional housing need for lower income households on sites located in higher income, racially exclusive areas to the extent that those areas exist within the jurisdiction. The bill would also require rezoning the sites at least one year before the adoption deadline for the revision of the housing element, if the inventory of sites does not affirmatively further fair housing.

By imposing additional duties on local entities, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

This bill would require the building department to provide the applicant with an estimated timeframe to complete the plan check, upon receiving a completed application.

The bill would authorize an applicant to contract with or employ a private professional provider, as defined, to perform the plan check, if the estimated timeframe exceeds 30 days or the building department has not completed the plan check within 30 days of receiving the application.

The bill would require the private professional provider to prepare a specified affidavit, under penalty of perjury, and the applicant to submit to the building department a specified report of the plan check.

The bill would require the building department, within 14 days of receiving the report, to consider the report and, based on the report, either issue the residential building permit or notify the applicant that the plans and specifications do not comply, as specified.

If the building department notifies the applicant that the plans and specifications do not comply, the bill would authorize the applicant to resubmit corrected plans and specifications to the building department or contract with or employ a private professional provider to check the corrected plans and specifications, as specified.

This bill was signed into law and took effect October 10, 2025.

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Legiscan

Modifies CEQA to make approvals faster or easier. This bill would require a lead agency to limit the scope of an environmental impact report to the condition of a categorical exemption that the lead agency determines, after a preliminary review of the project, disqualifies the project from eligibility under the categorical exemption, if the lead agency determines that the project meets all other conditions of the categorical exemption except for the one condition that disqualifies it, as specified.

The bill would require that a lead agency’s determination to adopt a negative declaration or mitigated negative declaration be upheld if there is a fair argument that substantial evidence supports the determination.

The bill would provide that these provisions do not apply to a project to construct or that is related to a distribution center or oil and gas infrastructure.

The bill would exempt from the requirements of CEQA, except as provided, a rezoning that is consistent with an approved housing element. Because the bill would require a lead agency to determine the applicability of this exemption, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

This bill was signed into law and took effect on July 1 2025.

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Legiscan

Existing law, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) makes unlawful various practices connected to obtaining and financing housing accommodations, among other things, if those practices discriminate based on source of income. FEHA requires the Civil Rights Department to enforce specific provisions of the act, including the provision described above. This bill would provide that prioritization of applicants for tenancy who qualify for or receive rental assistance, as specified, does not constitute discrimination based on source of income for purposes of the above-described provisions of FEHA.

This bill was signed into law and took effect January 1, 2026.

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Legiscan

The proposed state constitution amendment that will allow voters to approve affordable housing bond measures with a 55% yes vote. The current 66.67% requirement for the passage of a Bond Measure to fund the creation of additional affordable homes in our communities has prevented our county – and other counties- from building needed apartments for local residents and workers. This amendment will create greater opportunities for building affordable apartments.

This proposition failed in November 2024.

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Yes on Prop 5

MEASURE M IS A MAJOR MISTAKE FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Measure M will hinder affordable and workforce housing development just when we need more housing for the people who make our community healthy and successful. They made a mistake when they wrote a measure that pays lip service to affordable housing, but actually puts more barriers in the way of meeting the housing needs of our essential workers and their families.

This measure failed in March 2024.

Learn more: https://www.affordablehousingadvocatessc.org/

Vote YES on L for a safer, healthier Santa Cruz.

Measure L generates local funding to help tackle some of our most urgent local problems, and can’t be taken by the State:

-Connecting people experiencing homelessness with services and support

-Cleaning up and addressing the impacts of encampments

-Supporting affordable housing

-Keeping pollution out of local rivers, creeks, and streams

-Ensuring City firefighters have the training and equipment needed to fight wildfires

-Improving parks, open spaces, and beaches

This measure passed in March 2024.

Learn more : https://www.safehealthysantacruz.com/yes-on-l

Vote Yes on Measure K for a safer and stronger Santa Cruz County

We need Measure K to attract and retain frontline workers, provide emergency response services, build a resilient community for all, and continue fixing our roads and potholes throughout Santa Cruz County.

This measure passed in March 2024.

Learn more: https://www.safehealthysantacruz.com/yes-on-k

This bill would fast-track university housing developments at UC, California State Universities and community colleges by getting rid of a secondary review currently required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This bill was signed into law and went into effect on January 1, 2023.

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Legiscan

A bill already exists that makes it easier for religious institutions to use their land for affordable housing but this bill enables them to have fewer required parking spaces so that affordable housing can be built.

This bill would add more areas in cities (commercially-zoned) for 100% affordable housing projects to be “by right” and have streamlined ministerial processes while also requiring prevailing wages.

This bill allows for fewer required parking spaces if a property is within a half mile of a bus route enabling more residential units to be built.

This bill would add a new provision to the tax credit system (the major financing mechanism for 100% affordable housing projects) to allow the granting of the credits for buying, remodeling, etc. existing developments that have expiring dedicated affordability units to extend their affordability. Many projects have been in existence long enough to fit that category. For instance, the City of Santa Cruz has over a hundred units near their expiration.

Authored by Laura Friedman, to exempt developments from minimum parking requirements that are within a half mile walking distance of public transit (defined as transit with a frequency of no more than 15 minute intervals). In addition to affordability benefits, there is a significant environmental benefit to reducing parking requirements. Reducing parking requirements creates a less auto-dependent community.

This legislation would repeal Article 34 which requires development, construction, or acquisition of publicly-funded low-rent housing projects to be approved by a majority of voters in a city or county. Passage would reduce the red tape that currently makes it harder and more expensive to build much needed affordable housing. This would require a voter-approved Constitutional Amendment.

This legislation would have 5% of the general fund each year be used to address homelessness and fund affordable housing, including housing and services to prevent and end homelessness. This would require a voter-approved Constitutional Amendment.

Is a constitutional amendment that would establish a ten-year funding commitment in the Constitution that dedicates five percent from the state’s general fund, each year, to the state’s affordable housing and homelessness crisis.

The intention of the city council in placing the initiative on the ballot was to fund much needed homeless and housing programs. While the revenue would have gone into the general fund and couldn’t be specifically earmarked in advance, we supported the measure on the expectation that council’s intentions will be carried out. Addressing homelessness and the housing crisis must be the City’s highest priority with Measure F revenue allocations. HSCC encouraged voters to be part of the solution by voting for Measure F on the June 7, 2022 ballot.

The Coastal Commission has not, historically, been sensitive to social equity and affordable housing needs in our coastal communities. By bringing more folks with a social justice lens onto the Commission, we envision greater affordable housing opportunities near the coast for our local residents and workers. Housing Santa Cruz County wrote a letter to Assembly Speaker for District 63, Anthony Rendon, relaying that HSCC has observed that decisions by the Commission, especially in subjectively interpreting ‘community character’ has contributed to housing inequities in the coastal zone and have helped to continue the legacy of redlining. Accessibility to the coast and housing production within has reflected that lack of inclusive consideration. We believe having the Commission members reflect our state’s diversity would begin to reverse that history. We also offered to provide suggestions for candidates, if he didn’t have any.

This year there is an anticipated large revenue surplus that, we hope, could provide additional funding for housing. HSCC has chosen to add its name to the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California’s lobbying efforts, as well as, write letters to Senator John Laird, Assemblymembers Mark Stone and Robert Rivas pushing for budget increases for the Multifamily Housing Program and the Housing Accelerator Program. These programs have a backlog of unfunded applications that include: Project Homekey, Veterans Housing Homelessness Prevention Program and No Place Like Home. Additionally, there is the California Low-Income Tax Credit Program and a disaster relief program.