Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Capitola, California
Last Updated
Less than an hour ago
About Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz (HUD agency code CA072) is the public housing agency serving Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California. It administers 5,657 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 15 waiting lists at this agency, covering FUP, Mod Rehab, Other, PBV, Senior, SRO, EHV, HCV, Mainstream, Public Housing, Rural Development. As of Feb 7, 2026, 6 are open and 7 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 2 further lists.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $98,900 per year, and as Low Income at or below $158,700 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 153 status changes at this agency, most recently on Jul 2, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Family Unification Program (FUP) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
The Family Unification Program (FUP) and Family Unification Program – Youth (FUP-Y) vouchers are available. Referrals for FUP and FUP-Y vouchers come from the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department.
Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
Nuevo Sol SROs is administered as a Moderate Rehabilitation single room occupancy project. Referrals come from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency/ Homeless Persons’ Health Project (HPHP).
Other Programs Waitlist
Pacific Station South (Interest )
Status
open
Open Date
Jul 1, 2025
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
An interest list for some units at Pacific Station South reopened in July 2025; apply via email at pacificstationsouth.info@fpimgt.com, by phone at 707-708-3260, or by visiting a temporary leasing office.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Sunrise Senior Apartments site-based waiting list is open and accepting applications. Pre-applications for Sunrise Senior Apartments waiting list were available beginning October 10, 2022. Resetar Residential Hotel and El Centro Residential Apartments also have Project Based Voucher waiting lists.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The waiting list for Sunrise Senior Apartments is currently accepting pre-applications. Applications can be returned by mail to 2160 41st Ave., Capitola 95010, by FAX to (831) 469-3712, dropped off in the Housing Authority lobby during office hours (Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm), dropped o...
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
El Centro Project Based Voucher Waiting List is open for single person households age 62 or above. This program offers single room occupancy (SRO) units.
Other Programs
8 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The Emergency Housing Voucher Program, created in 2021, is currently closed for new applications, with assisted households being connected to other programs.
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz has closed the Waiting List for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program for both the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
This program is for households including a family member aged 18-62 with a disability and is dependent on the closed Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for applicants.
The waiting list for the USDA Farmworker Housing program closed on October 7, 2022. This program provides affordable housing to households who earn a substantial portion of their income as farm laborers and who are either US citizens or legal permanent residents.
No current waiting list information found for Merrill Road Apartments.
No specific preferences were detailed for this program's waitlist in the available information.
The waiting list for this program closed on Friday, October 7, 2022. Applications received after 5:00 pm on October 7, 2022 will not be placed on the waitlist.
The waiting list is currently closed. Pre-applications for the waiting list were available starting October 10, 2022, at The CHISPA website, Housing Authority website, Sunrise Senior Apartments, Hollister Senior Center, and CHISPA's Main Office.
No active waitlist information is available; referrals come from the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency/Homeless Persons' Health Project (HPHP).
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz currently has 6 open waiting lists (Family Unification Program (FUP), Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Senior Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $98,900/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz manages approximately 5,657 assisted housing units (5,657 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Capitola. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) open
The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mod Rehab Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) open
The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Capitola. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior Housing program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
EHV Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Capitola. This program serves approximately 5,657 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Rural Development USDA Rural Development Housing closed
The USDA Rural Development Housing program at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Capitola. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz?
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $98,900. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $41,550 | $69,250 | $111,100 |
| 2 Persons | $47,500 | $79,100 | $127,000 |
| 3 Persons | $53,450 | $89,000 | $142,850 |
| 4 Persons | $59,350 | $98,900 | $158,700 |
| 5 Persons | $64,100 | $106,800 | $171,400 |
| 6 Persons | $68,850 | $114,700 | $184,100 |
| 7 Persons | $73,600 | $122,650 | $196,800 |
| 8 Persons | $78,350 | $130,550 | $209,500 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz — including across state lines.