Housing Assistance Fund

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Housing Assistance Fund Reopens Monday, July 13

Good news! With new Fiscal Year 2026–27 funding now available, the Housing Assistance Fund (HAF) and Behavioral Health Participant Assistance Fund (BH PAF) will reopen on Monday, July 13.

Community providers are encouraged to begin submitting new requests for eligible participants. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding after available funding was exhausted in June, and we're grateful for your continued partnership in supporting individuals and families in our community.

We look forward to continuing this important work together and helping those in need through these renewed funding opportunities.

Housing Assistance Fund (HAF) Policies

The Housing Assistance Fund (HAF), managed by Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health Division in partnership with the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, provides flexible funding to help eligible county residents and their families secure and maintain long-term, stable housing.

The fund draws from multiple sources, allowing assistance to be tailored to the unique needs of each household experiencing a housing crisis.

HAF applications must be prepared and submitted on behalf of participants by eligible providers, who are currently limited to licensed HMIS users. Before submitting a funding request, providers are required to attend or view the recorded HAF training and review the HAF policies document linked below.

For questions about the HAF program can be sent to H4H.HousingAssistanceFund@SantaCruzCountyCA.gov.

Housing Assistance
Fund Policy
Summary of Eligible HAF Expenses
H4H Flexible Spending Fund Check Request Form
H4H Housing Assistance Fund Participant Info (ENG)
H4H Housing Assistance Fund Participant Info (SP)
Santa Cruz Participant Assistance Fund Policy

Alternative Funding Resources

While HAF funding is temporarily unavailable, the following resources may be available to support participants:

County General Assistance

Provides monthly financial assistance for eligible residents:

  • Single individuals: $520–$809 per month
  • Two-person households: $644–$1,039 per month

For more information, call (888) 421-8080.

Community Action Board (CAB) Rental Assistance Program

Provides assistance for:

  • Past-due rent
  • Security deposits
  • First month's rent

Eligibility: Participants must reside within the City of Santa Cruz.

Twin Lakes Church Benevolence Fund

Provides emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical expenses, and other urgent needs.

Santa Cruz Community Credit Union 0% Rental Assistance Loan Program

For more information, call (831) 425-7708.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey

Provides financial stability services and case management support.

  • Santa Cruz Office: (831) 431-6939
  • Watsonville Office: (831) 722-2675

CalWORKs Families

Eligible families may qualify for emergency payments, housing assistance, or temporary hotel accommodations.

  • For more information, call (888) 421-8080.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and partnership as we navigate this funding transition and work toward the start of the new fiscal year.

Housing Assistance Fund Training

Donate to the Housing Assistance Fund

To help keep our neighbors housed, please consider donating to the Housing Assistance Fund (HAF).

Your contribution provides flexible support that can be tailored to the unique needs of each household experiencing a housing crisis.

The fund is administered in partnership with Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health Division and the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County.

 

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