Santa Cruz mayoral candidate Ryan Coonerty wasn’t shy with expressing his disapproval of a proposed housing development at the intersection of Seabright Avenue and Soquel Avenue. His mayoral opponent, Ami Chen Mills, said she also disapproves of this development despite wanting to continue to build affordable housing.
Housing & Development
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Workbench files pre-application for new housing on site of Seabright business plaza; Joby makes moves in Texas
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on a proposed six-story mixed-use development in Santa Cruz, Joby Aviation’s latest maneuvers and names, numbers and dates to know.
Posted inHousing & Development
Almost nowhere in California is building enough, according to the state. Here’s why
The state ordered every city and county to plan for 2.5 million new homes by 2030. With the exception of just five jurisdictions, no one is on track to hit their numbers.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz’s Pacific Avenue is starting to look like Everywhere Else
Pacific Avenue once embodied Santa Cruz’s quirky, community-driven spirit, writes UC Santa Cruz student and aspiring writer Carly Pavlin. As chain retailers, including Anthropologie, replace longtime local institutions, she fears that identity is beginning to fade. Here, Pavlin reflects on the downtown she fell in love with four years ago — and asks what kind of city Santa Cruz is becoming. Is Pacific Avenue still Santa Cruz, or is it starting to look like everywhere else?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why insurance matters to renters, landlords and California
Insurance affects the cost of rent, housing supply and recovery from disaster. In November, Californians will elect the state’s next insurance commissioner, a position that will play an important role in the recovery from last year’s Los Angeles County fires and the state of the insurance market.
Posted inHousing & Development
Congress passed a major housing bill. Here’s why Santa Cruz won’t see more affordable units anytime soon
Although the new 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act simplifies regulations and boosts tax credits, local officials say it won’t provide immediate relief to Santa Cruz County’s housing shortage. Instead, the bill’s benefits are expected to unfold gradually over the next decade.
Posted inHousing & Development
Running on empty: In the nation’s most expensive gas market, Santa Cruz’s vehicular homeless face a new crisis
Amid high gas and food prices, many Californians have been struggling to make ends meet. However, one of the nation’s most vulnerable populations has been hit particularly hard: people living in their vehicles, who rely on gas to have a roof over their heads.
Posted inHousing & Development
The unwanted top spot: Santa Cruz County remains most expensive rental market
Santa Cruz County is in first place — but not in a good way. It has once again been named the country’s most expensive rental market, marking four years in a row that it has claimed the top spot.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The secret math of ‘affordable’ housing in Santa Cruz (and why the fancy new housing isn’t the villain)
Affordable housing isn’t a matter of opinion — it’s math, writes Doug Erickson, founder of Santa Cruz Works. Here, he explains why developers of new market-rate housing aren’t the villains they’re often made out to be, and why affordable and market-rate homes play different but complementary roles. Understanding the economics behind both will help us navigate Santa Cruz’s housing crisis, he writes.
Posted inFood & Drink
Homeless Garden Project clears final roadblock to owning Natural Bridges Farm
Homeless Garden Project cleared the final major regulatory hurdle to purchasing the 4-acre Natural Bridges Farm it has leased on Santa Cruz’s Westside for three decades, paving the way for the nonprofit to establish the first permanent home in its 36-year history.
