The County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure announces a random drawing, scheduled for late June, to create a ranked waiting list of prospective eligible homebuyers for six Measure J affordable condominiums.
Measure J homes are offered at below-market prices. The homes in this drawing range from nearly $365,000 for a 1-bedroom condo to $428,200 for a 3-bedroom condo.
The homes come with permanent affordability protections, including resale price limits and permanent deed restrictions to ensure continued access for low- to moderate-income households.
To qualify, prospective buyers must meet the Measure J eligibility criteria for these homes outlined in the Affordable Housing Guidelines including but not limited to:
- Household gross income must not exceed the current Moderate-Income limits for Santa Cruz County. See box.
- Household assets (excluding recognized retirement accounts, but including proposed downpayment) may not exceed the all-age asset limits of $120,000.
- Buyer must live or work in Santa Cruz County, as defined in the guidelines.
- Buyer must be prequalified for a conventional mortgage loan of at least 70% of the home price.
- Buyer must have a downpayment of at least 3% of the home price (excluding gift funds).
- Household size qualifies for the size of home they are purchasing, to meet the Measure J Program Occupancy Standards provided in the guidelines.
- Must be a first-time homebuyer: has not owned a home in the past 3 years or meets one of the first-time buyer exceptions listed in the guidelines.
- Buyer is “Purchase Ready,” as defined in the guidelines.
To be included in the drawing, applicants must submit a completed pre-application form, signed by all adults aged 18+ in the household, and loan prequalification letter included, in person at:
County of Santa Cruz, Department of Community Development & Infrastructure
Attn: Housing Division
701 Ocean Street, 4th Floor, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
* Form may be dropped off by an authorized representative but must be wet-signed by applicants prior to drop-off.
Important Dates
- Application Window opens on May 15 at 8 am and closes at 4 pm on May 29.
- June 12: Tentative drawing date (subject to change based on application volume).
- Applicants will be notified by email of the confirmed date of random drawing.
- Applicants will be notified of their position on the ranked list within three business days of the drawing.
- Top-ranked applicants must be prepared to submit a complete Measure J Homebuyer eligibility application to the Housing Authority within one week of notification.
All applicants should review additional instructions and drawing procedures in the application materials and the AHG. Attendance at the drawing is not required to participate or to be placed on the list. Further details, application form and delivery instructions are available online at: bit.ly/unitsforsale
A full description of Measure J homebuyer eligibility criteria, including the occupancy standards and other requirements, is provided in the guidelines, available on the County’s Measure J Affordable Housing Program webpage: bit.ly/measure-j-housing
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2025 Area Median Income Limits
| Persons in Household | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Very Low (50%): | $69,250 | $79,100 | $89,000 | $98,900 | $106,800 | $114,700 | $122,650 | $130,550 |
| Lower (80%): | $111,100 | $127,000 | $142,850 | $158,700 | $171,400 | $184,100 | $196,800 | $209,500 |
| Moderate (120%): | $111,550 | $127,500 | $143,400 | $159,350 | $172,100 | $184,850 | $197,600 | $210,350 |
AMI: Area Median Income ($132,800) for Santa Cruz County, as published annually by HCD. Very Low and Low Income limits are set by HUD.
