May is Affordable Housing Month! Every year, the Economic Development Department‘s Housing Division and our partners dedicate the month of May to affordable housing. Through multiple events, we invite our community to collectively learn, engage, and understand the positive and extensive impact affordable housing brings. We accomplish this by offering informative workshops, project groundbreakings and grand openings, housing policy panels, affordable housing tours, and more. Most of all, we come together to recognize the ongoing efforts and power of our local partners and communities in making affordable housing a priority in the City. This month's City events include:

In-Person Events:

Affordable Housing Projects Groundbreaking (Pacific Station South and Cedar Street Apartments) Thursday, May 19, 2022, 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Join us for the in-person groundbreaking for Pacific Station South and Cedar Street Apartments! We will start the tour at the Pacific Station South site (Pacific Ave and Maple St) to learn about the affordable housing project. The tour will be hosted by Jessica de Wit, Housing and Community Development Manager, and will focus on the Pacific Station South property site. The walking tour will then travel to the Cedar Street Apartments site and conclude with a brief look at the future Downtown Library Affordable Housing Project site. Participation will be limited to 50 people and masks are optional to keep all participants safe. To register email [email protected], please register by May 13th to secure your spot!

** Due to COVID-19, for all in-person events during Affordable Housing Month masks are optional for participants. We will also continue hosting virtual events and provide engaging at-home activities.

Virtual Classes & Self-Guided Tours:

Self-Guided Bike Tour – Learn about affordable housing projects in Santa Cruz and new ones that are on the horizon. The Self-Guided Bike Tour Map is split into two routes – the north route and the “go the extra mile” south route. The projects highlighted show the City of Santa Cruz's continued commitment to creating diverse affordable housing projects. For more information on a specific project please click the linked project names directly on the tour map (pg 1)

Affordable Housing Finance Class – What factors need to be considered when developing affordable housing? How does the financing work? Chuck Depew of the National Development Council (NDC) answers these questions and more in a pre-recorded class originally presented in October 2019.

Click Here to View Class

Housing Choice Voucher Program Informational Webinar – Have you ever wondered what the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program is or what the benefits are of providing housing to tenants who are participants in that program? The City of Santa Cruz and the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County jointly hosted a webinar primarily geared toward landlords which provide an overview of the program, highlights and shares information about the Landlord Incentive Program, new incentives available to participating landlords, and more in a pre-recorded class originally presented in May 2021.

Please visit the Affordable Housing Month page for the Affordable Housing Month Events Quick Guide, more information on City hosted events, registration information, and other regional events.