Santa Cruz County Housing Articles

Twenty-nine homes in Aptos Village Phase II finished construction in May. They are part of about 4,600 homes that are supposed to be permitted outside Santa Cruz County’s four cities by the year 2032. (Swenson)
Editor’s note: Find details on …

Two state legislators who represent Santa Cruz say they want the University of California to fix problems at UC-owned Hilltop Apartments in Santa Cruz. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local file)
SANTA CRUZ >> In response to rodents, rent hikes, …

Founded in 2023, Damian’s Ladder is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities in the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley. By providing free or low-cost home repairs and modifications, the organization helps residents live …

Utility work is expected this summer at the former site of the Circle Church in Santa Cruz. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
SANTA CRUZ >> Water and electrical work is expected this summer at the site of the …

A five-story, 63 unit housing proposal at 841 Capitola Road takes advantage of the Builder’s Remedy, a state law that essentially removes a local government’s power to deny housing. (Workbench)
SANTA CRUZ >> Santa Cruz County supervisors on Tuesday advanced …

Spruce Street could close to vehicles from the Kaiser arena to Pacific Avenue as part of a proposed Santa Cruz Downtown expansion plan. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)
SANTA CRUZ >> The Santa Cruz Planning Commission on Thursday …

The California Environmental Quality Act, CEQA, is the state’s signature environmental legislation, and is also often named as the villain in the state’s housing shortage. But the story may not be that simple.

In complaints filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Melissa Scalia and other Hilltop apartments tenants have alleged that property managers mistreated them. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> In response to mounting problems at a 168-unit …

A 144-apartment proposal at 831 Almar Ave. has been scuttled. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
SANTA CRUZ >> The owner of a former tea facility at 831 Almar Ave. has scuttled a proposal for a six-story apartment complex, despite …

A city parking lot at Cedar and Lincoln streets in Santa Cruz is slated to become a three-level library with housing and parking. (Ten Over Studio)

A rendering shows a proposed apartment building with 63 homes in Live Oak, as seen from Grey Seal Road. (Workbench)
LIVE OAK >> Developers at Workbench presented a revised proposal for a five-story, 63-unit apartment building at 841 Capitola Road …

New state rules force home insurers to write a greater share of their policies in fire prone areas like Santa Cruz County. (TR Dreszer)
Read Santa Cruz Local’s resource page: How to find home insurance in Santa Cruz County.
Wildfire …

A 90-unit, below-market-rate apartment complex is proposed at 525 Water St., Santa Cruz. (Hochhauser Blatter Associates)
​​SANTA CRUZ >> Neighbors on Wednesday night got a first glimpse at new designs for a five-story affordable housing complex proposed at a former …

A proposed housing complex at 831 Almar Ave. would have 144 units. A four-story building shown is now proposed to be two stories. (Workbench)
SANTA CRUZ >> Details of a proposed 144-unit apartment complex at 831 Almar Ave. in Santa …

A tiny home development for 34 homeless people slated for the parking lot of Westview Presbyterian Church in Watsonville can move forward after the City Council on Tuesday denied an appeal by a neighbors’ group that has been battling the …

The Circle Church was demolished in April 2024, and its 1.62-acre lot remains vacant this week as city staff await design permit applications. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local) 
SANTA CRUZ >> Nearly five years since the Santa Cruz City …

In Watsonville, we see the human cost of California's housing crisis every day. As homelessness rises, we face a critical choice: continue with inadequate approaches or embrace innovative solutions reflecting our values of compassion and dignity for all.

A proposal for the 900 block of Ocean Street next to Marianne’s Ice Cream includes 389 homes on 4.15 acres. (High Street No. Cal. Development Inc.)
Santa Cruz Planning Commission meeting

A rendering shows a proposed housing project on Cabrillo College’s Aptos campus. (Cabrillo College)
Community meeting on Cabrillo housing

The Santa Cruz City Council in May 2024. (Marcello Hutchinson-Trujillo — Santa Cruz Local file)
Santa Cruz City Council meeting