August 2, 2024 

SANTA CRUZ, CA - The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) announced that the City of Santa Cruz was awarded $500,000 to support a local eviction prevention and rental assistance program. These eviction prevention efforts are anticipated to serve up to 80 low-income households in the City of Santa Cruz. 

The City of Santa Cruz will collaborate with Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB) to manage and administer these funds. CAB will provide direct services to persons at risk of homelessness, including housing stabilization, eviction prevention, rental assistance, and rapid rehousing services. CAB is uniquely qualified, with significant experience and success in providing these services across Santa Cruz County.  

 “The City’s partnership with CAB will help families maintain the housing they currently have when faced with life challenges such as illness, job loss, or injury,” said City of Santa Cruz Homelessness Response Manager, Larry Imwalle. “Eviction prevention and rental assistance programs can help support people with extra resources so they can preserve a connection to their homes and community.” 

The City of Santa Cruz is one of nineteen Prohousing Communities in California to receive a share of $15.3 Million in Incentive Grants. The Prohousing Designation Program (PDP) administered by HCD recognizes cities and counties that demonstrate a commitment to enacting proactive policy changes and providing incentives and support to break down barriers to housing development. By earning the Prohousing Designation, communities receive exclusive access to Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) grants and additional points in the scoring of competitive housing, community development, and infrastructure funding programs administered by HCD. Fifty California communities have now earned this distinction. 

“I am proud the City of Santa Cruz is one of 19 cities in the state to be celebrated for our Prohousing Designation,” said City of Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley. “This signals to our community that we are dedicated to ensuring that all members of our City can achieve greater housing stability and continue to call Santa Cruz home.” 

Visit the City of Santa Cruz’s Homelessness Response page to learn more about our programs.  

Visit HCD's website to learn more about the Prohousing Designation Program and the Prohousing Investment Program. 

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