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Qualifying For HUD Housing Section 8 Vouchers In Santa Cruz, CA

HUD Housing eligibility is determined by the Santa Cruz County Public Housing Authority.

Income may not exceed 50% of the median income from the table below. The Housing Authority must provide 75 percent of vouchers to those whose income does not exceed 30% of the median income listed below.

HUD Income Limits 2024 in Santa Cruz, CA.

HUD Designated Metro Area: Income Limits

2024Median Family Income2024 Yearly Income Limit2024 Yearly Income Limit - Person(s) in Family
Income LimitsCategory12345
Santa Cruz County, CA$127,300Very Low Income (50%)$63,400$72,450$81,500$90,550$97,800
Extremely Low Income (30%)$38,050$43,500$48,950$54,350$58,700
Low Income (80%) $101,750$116,250$130,750$145,300$156,950

Santa Cruz County Public Housing Authorities

We have listed all of the housing authorities in Santa Cruz County. Using the chart above, if you qualify as low income (Very Low Income OR Extremely Low Income), we recommend that you visit your local housing authority. They should be your first stop for housing and rental assistance programs.
1. To get on the waiting list for Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), visit the links provided below to the closest Santa Cruz County housing authority to your city in your city.
2. You can also visit the Housing Authority for other low income housing programs with rent assistance.

Public Housing Eligibility

To be eligible for public housing, households must meet the following requirements:
1. Have an income that is below a certain level.
2. Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident.
3. Have a demonstrated need for housing assistance.

Public housing tenants pay rent based on their income. The rent is typically set at 30% of the household's monthly income.
If you are interested in learning more about public housing, or if you think you may be eligible, you can contact your local housing authority (lsted above). The Public Housing Authority can provide you with information on the application process and help you determine if you are eligible for public housing assistance.

Santa Cruz County Housing Authority

2931 Mission Street
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Santa Cruz County
Website: http://www.hacosantacruz.org/
Phone Number: (831)454-9455

Santa Cruz County Housing Authority

2160 41st Avenue
Capitola, CA - 95010
Santa Cruz County
Website: https://hacosantacruz.org/
Phone Number: (831) 454-9455

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HUD Housing Low Income Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties In Santa Cruz, CA

Listed below are the Section 42, LIHTC apartments in Santa Cruz, CA. LIHTC apartment rents are not based on the tenants income. Income credit set aside brackets are selected during the apartment credit applications are used to determine the apartment rents.

The rents are based upon the Area Medium Income (AMI) and tenant based utility allowances. At least 20% of these apartments (listed below), must provide these low rates for low-income tenants.

HUD housing LIHTC Eligibility Requirements

Income: Households must earn below a certain income level, which is set by the HUD and varies by location. In general, households must earn below 60% of the area median income (AMI) to be eligible for LIHTC housing.
Citizenship or residency status: Households must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
Need for housing assistance: Households must have a demonstrated need for housing assistance. This means that they must be unable to afford housing on their own.

In addition to the above requirements, some LIHTC properties may have additional eligibility requirements, such as age restrictions or preferences for certain types of households (e.g., families with children, veterans, etc.).

To determine if you are eligible for LIHTC housing, you can contact your local housing authority (listed above) or search for LIHTC properties (listed below).

LIHTC Maximum Rents

The maximum allowable rents are equal to 30% of the Area Medium Income (AMI), less the utility allowances.

HUD Fair Market Rents for Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz County

Apartment SizeHUD's Monthly Fair Market Rent For AreaLIHTC Maximum Rent
Studio Apartments$2849Estimated $854.70 - utility allowance
One Bedroom Apartments$3085Estimated $925.50 - utility allowance
Two Bedroom Apartments$4054Estimated $1,216.20 - utility allowance
Three Bedroom Apartments$5000Estimated $1,500.00 - utility allowance


Available LIHTC Properties In Santa Cruz, CA

Using the table above you can estimate what you would be paying by checking the LIHTC Maximum Rent section.

Contact these properties for openings and wait lists and price lists.

Riverwalk Apartments (santa Cruz)

110 Lindberg St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 20

El Centro

1110 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 44
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 44
Years In Service Since: 1993
Family Apartments: YES
Senior Apartments: YES
Disabled Apartments: YES
Accepts Homeless: YES

La Playa

218 Leibrandt Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 8
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 8
Years In Service Since: 1993
Family Apartments: YES
Senior Apartments: YES

Sycamore Street Commons

125 Sycamore St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 60
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 60
Years In Service Since: 1998
Family Apartments: YES

Nueva Vista

136 Leibrandt Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 48
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 48
1 Bedroom apartments 1
2 Bedroom apartments 18
3 Bedroom apartments 21
4 Bedroom apartments 8
Years In Service Since: 2003
Family Apartments: YES

Monarch Village Apartments

1280 Shaffer Rd
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 206
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 206
1 Bedroom apartments 77
2 Bedroom apartments 8
Years In Service Since: 2003
Family Apartments: YES

Pacific Avenue Apartments

1010 Pacific Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 112
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 112
1 Bedroom apartments 24
Years In Service Since: 2004

Mission Gardens

90 Grandview St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 50
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 50
1 Bedroom apartments 26
2 Bedroom apartments 16
3 Bedroom apartments 8
Years In Service Since: 2009
Family Apartments: YES

Tannery Artist Lofts

1030 River St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 100
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 100
1 Bedroom apartments 16
2 Bedroom apartments 28
3 Bedroom apartments 42
Years In Service Since: 2009
Family Apartments: YES

Neary Lagoon Cooperative

81 Chestnut St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 95
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 95
1 Bedroom apartments 23
2 Bedroom apartments 30
3 Bedroom apartments 42
Years In Service Since: 2014
Family Apartments: YES

Riverwalk Apartments

110 Lindberg Street
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 21
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 21
1 Bedroom apartments 4
2 Bedroom apartments 7
3 Bedroom apartments 10
Years In Service Since: 2014
Family Apartments: YES

Garfield Park Village

721 Bay Street
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Total Apartment Units: 95
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 95
1 Bedroom apartments 48
2 Bedroom apartments 9
Years In Service Since: 2015
Senior Apartments: YES

East Cliff Village Apartments

1635 Tremont Drive
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Total Apartment Units: 76
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 76
1 Bedroom apartments 56
2 Bedroom apartments 1
Years In Service Since: 2015
Senior Apartments: YES

St. Stephens Senior Housing

2510 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Total Apartment Units: 40
Total Apartment Low Income Apartments: 40
1 Bedroom apartments 32
2 Bedroom apartments 4
Years In Service Since: 2016


HUD Housing Section 8 and Multifamily Properties in Santa Cruz, CA

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides active listings of Section 8 and Multifamily apartments. We have listed them below for you to contact. Check with them to see if they have current availabilities and/or waiting lists. With Section 8 properties, you will need a voucher. Contact the Santa Cruz County Public Housing Authorities, listed at the top of this page.

Eligibility for HUD Housing Section 8, you must meet the following requirements:

Income: Your income must be below a certain level, which is set by the HUD and varies by location. In general, households must earn below 50% of the area median income (AMI) to be eligible for Section 8 housing.
Citizenship or residency status: You must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Need for housing assistance: You must have a demonstrated need for housing assistance. This means that you must be unable to afford housing on your own.

In addition to the above requirements, some Section 8 programs may have additional eligibility requirements, such as age restrictions or preferences for certain types of households (e.g., families with children, veterans, etc.).

To determine if you are eligible for Section 8 housing, you can contact your local Public Housing Authority (listed above). The Public Housing Authorities can provide you with information on the application process and help you determine if you are eligible for Section 8 assistance.

Tips To Get In To Section 8 Housing:

Local Rules: Each local housing authority has different rules around Section 8. Decide where you want to live and find the housing authorities in charge of those neighborhoods.
Applying for a Voucher: Contact your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) to apply for a voucher. They can tell you if they’re currently accepting new applicants and provide application details.
Payment Standards: Section 8 doesn’t specify a fixed dollar amount for rent assistance. Instead, the PHA sets a payment standard based on local housing market rates.

Stepping Out Housing

740 Plymouth St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: (831) 462-7176
Total Apartment Units: 18
Type of Listing: 202/811

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
The Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing

Seaside Apartments

1380 30th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 475-1841
Total Apartment Units: 84
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously Insure

Santa Cruz Riverfront

148-s Blaine St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: (831) 425-1276
Total Apartment Units: 71
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously Insure

San Lorenzo Park Apts

134 Dakota Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: (831) 427-1841
Total Apartment Units: 78
Type of Listing: Insured-Subsidized

Mission Gardens Iv

90 Grandview
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: 831-426-2036
Total Apartment Units: 50
Type of Listing: Subsidized, No HUD Financing

La Posada

609 Frederick St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 429-9230
Total Apartment Units: 150
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously Insure

Garfield Park Village

721 Bay St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: (831) 423-3411
Total Apartment Units: 94
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously 202/81

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.

Elizabeth Oaks Apts.

1460 Jose Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 457-5725
Total Apartment Units: 126
Type of Listing: Insured-Subsidized

East Cliff Village Apartments

1635 Tremont Dr
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831)462-2400
Total Apartment Units: 76
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously 202/81

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.

Casa Linda

1840 Maciel Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 462-1943
Total Apartment Units: 21
Type of Listing: 202/811

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
The Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing

Arbor Cove

84 Blackburn St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
Phone: (831) 454-9548
Total Apartment Units: 35
Type of Listing: Subsidized - Previously Insure

Monarch Housing Project

2206 40th Ave
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 469-1700
Total Apartment Units: 18
Type of Listing: 202/811

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
The Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing

Gault Street Sr Hsg

211 Gault Street
Santa Cruz, CA - 94060
Phone: 831-471-1911
Total Apartment Units: 37
Type of Listing: 202/811

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
The Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing

Grace Commons

1041 Cayuga St
Santa Cruz, CA - 95062
Phone: (831) 469-1700 Ext. 1021
Total Apartment Units: 15
Type of Listing: 202/811

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
Occupancy in Section 202 housing is open to any very low-income household comprised of at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy.
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
The Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live as independently as possible in the community by subsidizing rental housing


About our Data

Our data is collected from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development data along with computations based on their rules on apartments/housing.

How does HUD housing work in CA?

You must qualify for the HUD apartments in the area you are searching. Then, you need to apply directly at the location or through the Public Housing Authority.