After a three day hearing this week, State Farm is one step closer to approval for a rate hike on its California customers.
Housing & Development
Posted inCommentary
Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it
Terrible trio of a too small housing supply, too high living costs and too many homeless people plague California. A study says metro areas elsewhere are more pro-housing.
Posted inLatest News
Could utility gear set your neighborhood on fire? California risk maps are 8 years old
California’s Public Advocate has been pressing for new utility fire maps since 2023. Utilities are on board — but regulators turned them down.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fact check: Cutting through the fog of competing affordable housing petitions in the city of Santa Cruz
In a city grappling with housing affordability, two rival ballot measures have emerged in Santa Cruz: one backed by the mayor, another by real estate interests. What are the differences between the competing petitions claiming to raise money for affordable housing?
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
It’s time to name names in the Santa Cruz era of greed
Chris Krohn, a former Santa Cruz city councilmember and mayor, believes the city is moving from an era of progressive politics to one where greed and transactional relationships are the primary motivators. He sees comparisons between Donald Trump’s “drill baby drill” politics to the Santa Cruz developer practice of what he calls “build baby build.” Here, he names names and suggests a response to those who are buying and selling our community.
Posted inHousing & Development
Construction begins on new Santa Cruz homeless facility
Demolition will begin soon at 2202 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz, the future site of a 32-bed homeless center. Construction aims to conclude this fall, with the shelter to open in early 2026.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
National Library Week, downtown library festival deliver much to check out
Between the long-awaited groundbreaking of the downtown Santa Cruz library mixed-use project set for this spring and National Library Week coming up on April 6-12, Santa Cruz County bibliophiles have plenty to celebrate this month.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Bonnie Lipscomb named new Santa Cruz deputy city manager
Bonnie Lipscomb, City of Santa Cruz economic development and housing director, is moving into a new role as deputy city manager. She will focus on citywide initiatives, policy development and organizational leadership.
Posted inHousing & Development
Housing Matters holds storytelling event Sunday
The event on Sunday at Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz allows community leaders and individuals with lived experience of homelessness and housing insecurity to share their stories.
Posted inHousing & Development
Live Oak residents cite traffic, parking as concerns for Capitola Road housing project
A Workbench-led project at 841 Capitola Rd. in Live Oak is some way from breaking ground, but residents are already concerned about the 63-unit housing development, citing insufficient parking and the possibility of worsening traffic as reasons for opposition. Workbench is hosting a virtual community meeting on Tuesday.