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Affordable Housing Trust Fund

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The purpose of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) is to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the City of Santa Cruz for the benefit of low- and moderate income households. AHTF Guidelines establish criteria for the Program.

The types of projects eligible for consideration under the AHTF are:
  • Creation of new affordable units.
  • Preservation of existing affordable housing.
  • Assistance with multifamily rehabilitation programs.
  • Conversion of market rate units to affordable housing.
  • Construction of accessory dwelling units.
  • Acquisition and rehabilitation of potential limited equity cooperatives.
  • First time homebuyer loans
  • Predevelopment loans/grants to assist nonprofit and for profit developers with project feasibility studies, site acquisition and design studies for potential affordable housing projects.

The AHTF Affordable Rental Housing Pipeline Projects document lists the City’s AHTF pipeline of 100% affordable rental housing projects that are eligible to receive Housing Trust funding based on an initial first phase funding review as of September 2024.

Visit the Housing Assistance Information Page for project leasing, property management and waitlist information if available and the Upcoming Signification Downtown Projects Map for project information.

 

Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA)

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (State HCD) recently announced that the City is eligible for approximately $1.5 million in PLHA funds over the next five years. The purpose of the PLHA Program is to help local governments to address their affordable housing needs. To access these funds, the City must submit a 5-Year Plan showing how it intends to use the PLHA funds over the next five years for eligible housing activities within the City of Santa Cruz.

Additional information on the PLHA Program and the City’s PLHA 5-Year Plan can be found below:

  • State HCD PLHA NOFA - State of California Notice of Funding announcing the purpose of the funding and critical deadlines for local qualified agencies.
  • State HCD PLHA Final Guidelines - Includes eligible activities, application process, and threshold requirements for an application to be considered for funding.
  • City PLHA 5-Year Plan - Includes a table listing activities the City proposes to fund for the next 5-years along with the percent of funds which will be allocated to each of these activities.

For additional information please contact the Housing and Community Development Division by email or telephone at the number shown below: