Housing authoritiesCAHousing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz is based in Capitola, Santa Cruz County, CA and administers 5,674 Section 8 vouchers.
HUD PHA code CA072. Program type: Combined. Households served: 5,426. Occupancy: 95%. ZIP codes served: 17.
Payment standards
The maximum subsidy this authority uses for Housing Choice Vouchers, effective 2026-01-01.
| Area | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom | 5 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cities of Hollister & San Juan Bautista | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | $3,900 | $4,360 |
| Other Santa Cruz County | $2,544 | $2,878 | $3,786 | $5,100 | $6,200 | $6,500 |
| San Lorenzo Valley | $2,544 | $2,639 | $3,379 | $4,302 | $4,528 | $5,207 |
| South County | $2,544 | $2,639 | $3,379 | $4,302 | $4,528 | $5,207 |
Source: authority's payment standard schedule. Checked against HUD Fair Market Rent for these ZIP codes.
Utility allowances
Monthly allowances for tenant-paid utilities (Apartment), effective 2026-01-01. Rent plus these must fit under the payment standard.
| Utility | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Utilities (lights, etc) | $53 | $64 | $95 | $128 | $164 |
| Heating (Electric) | $39 | $46 | $58 | $71 | $84 |
| Heating (Gas) | $31 | $39 | $44 | $49 | $54 |
| Heating (Propane) | $68 | $86 | $95 | $104 | $113 |
| Cooking (Electric) | $17 | $20 | $29 | $37 | $46 |
| Cooking (Gas) | $8 | $8 | $13 | $16 | $21 |
| Cooking (Propane) | $14 | $14 | $23 | $32 | $41 |
| Water Heater (Electric) | $39 | $46 | $58 | $71 | $84 |
| Water Heater (Gas) | $16 | $18 | $26 | $37 | $44 |
| Water Heater (Propane) | $32 | $36 | $50 | $68 | $86 |
| Tenant Owns Range | $11 | $11 | $11 | $11 | $11 |
| Tenant Owns Refrigerator | $12 | $12 | $12 | $12 | $12 |
| Water | $73 | $75 | $97 | $122 | $157 |
| Sewer | $59 | $59 | $59 | $59 | $59 |
| Garbage | $39 | $39 | $39 | $39 | $39 |
Waiting lists
Not published. We have not found a waiting list status on this authority's website. Contact the authority to ask whether its lists are open.
Latest from Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
- Stay Ready: Emergency Preparedness WorkshopThe Housing Authority is hosting an emergency preparedness workshop in partnership with the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery, & Resilience on October 14, 2026, via Zoom with Spanish interpretation available.
- Stay Ready.This announcement encourages landlords and investors to prepare for potential winter emergencies like storms and power outages. It emphasizes the importance of having an emergency plan and provides resources to help with preparedness.
- An Update for Our EHV Participants / Una Actualización para Nuestros Participantes de EHVThe Housing Authority announces that Emergency Housing Voucher participants will continue receiving assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program when EHV funding ends.
- Housing Authority Releases 2027 Community ReportThe Housing Authority has released its 2027 Community Report highlighting programs and partnerships that strengthened housing stability in Santa Cruz County.
- Dollars & Sense: Are You Financially Healthy?A free online financial workshop is being offered to help participants gain confidence in managing their money through topics like spending, saving, and planning.
Fair Market Rent by ZIP code (FY2027)
HUD Fair Market Rent for each ZIP code this authority serves. Each ZIP code links to its own rent page.
| ZIP code | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95003 | $3,740 | $3,920 | $4,920 | $6,400 | $6,650 |
| 95005 | $3,380 | $3,550 | $4,450 | $5,790 | $6,010 |
| 95006 | $3,020 | $3,170 | $3,980 | $5,180 | $5,380 |
| 95007 | $2,970 | $3,090 | $3,940 | $5,030 | $5,290 |
| 95010 | $3,400 | $3,570 | $4,480 | $5,830 | $6,050 |
| 95017 | $3,570 | $3,750 | $4,700 | $6,120 | $6,360 |
| 95018 | $3,270 | $3,430 | $4,310 | $5,600 | $5,820 |
| 95019 | $2,870 | $2,970 | $3,800 | $4,840 | $5,100 |
| 95033 | $3,390 | $3,650 | $4,480 | $5,890 | $6,180 |
| 95041 | $3,070 | $3,190 | $4,070 | $5,200 | $5,470 |
| 95060 | $3,990 | $4,190 | $5,260 | $6,840 | $7,110 |
| 95062 | $3,870 | $4,060 | $5,100 | $6,630 | $6,890 |
| 95064 | $2,870 | $2,970 | $3,800 | $4,840 | $5,100 |
| 95065 | $3,780 | $3,970 | $4,980 | $6,480 | $6,730 |
| 95066 | $3,410 | $3,580 | $4,490 | $5,840 | $6,070 |
| 95073 | $3,090 | $3,240 | $4,070 | $5,290 | $5,500 |
| 95076 | $2,510 | $2,640 | $3,300 | $4,280 | $4,460 |
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents, FY2027.
Contact
Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
2160 41st Ave, Capitola, CA 95010
Phone: (831) 454-9455
Official website: hacosantacruz.org
Email updates
About Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz
Overview
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz operates as a combined program, administering 5,674 Section 8 vouchers. Despite having no public housing units, it serves 5,426 households with a 95% occupancy rate. This voucher-only approach ensures that families can find affordable housing across the county.
Scale and standing
The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz ranks 19th in the state of California by the number of Section 8 vouchers it administers, out of 88 authorities. With 5,674 vouchers, it stands as a significant provider of rental assistance in the region, serving a substantial portion of the local population in need.
Rent standards in the area it covers
The two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (FMR) in Santa Cruz County ranges from $3,440 to $5,230, with an average of $4,428. This is notably higher than the state average of $2,577. The highest FMR for a two-bedroom unit is $5,230 in ZIP code 95060, while the lowest is $3,440 in ZIP code 95076.
Cities served
Section 8 Fair Market Rent by city in this authority's jurisdiction.
Source: US HUD Public Housing Authority data; Fair Market Rent FY2027. This is an independent reference page, not the authority's own site.