County Goal: 4,634 More Homes

The County of Santa Cruz is creating a new Housing Element to increase housing access and meet state goals for housing production — 4,634 by Dec. 31, 2031 — and is seeking public participation.

The County is establishing a Community Panel of individuals, including those impacted by local housing costs, to provide input on the Housing Element process. The Community Panel will reflect a cross-section of county residents, including community members most affected by housing instability and/or unaffordability and with a focus on those living/working in unincorporated areas. Historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply. The deadline is March 31.

Separately, the County is conducting outreach to community groups, local businesses and partner agencies struggling to find and retain employees and/or pay staff sufficient wages to afford local homes and reduce greenhouse gases associated with long commute times.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development issued a “Regional Housing Needs Allocation” for unincorporated Santa Cruz County of 4,634 homes for the upcoming eight-year Housing Element, including 1,492 very low-income units.

The Housing Element must undergo environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act and receive state approval by Dec. 15, 2023 to avoid significant penalties and/or suspension of local permitting authority.

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To apply, see www.surveymonkey.com/r/CGBD6D9. Members receive $25 gift cards for each meeting attended.
To follow the process locally, visit www.santacruzcounty.us/2023HousingElement
For more info, visit www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/housing-elements