Santa Cruz County’s housing market saw plenty of homes listed for sale in October, a trend that has continued for the better part of the year. While buyers are still snapping up properties, houses are taking longer to sell than they did that the same time last year, likely due to all the inventory.
Housing & Development
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Closing Housing Matters’ day services won’t hurt just the unhoused — it will push the working poor closer to crisis
The planned closure of Housing Matters’ day services – including public showers, bathrooms and mail access — is being framed as affecting only people experiencing homelessness, but it will also hit Santa Cruz’s working poor who rely on these essentials, writes housing scholar Erin Gaede.
Posted inHousing & Development
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For YIMBYs and other champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a surprisingly buzzy cause. In Culver City, they have a test case.
Posted inHousing & Development
More housing on the California coast? Changes at this agency signal a pro-building shift
Three new pro-development appointees at the powerful California Coastal Commission are trying to remedy its poor reputation among housing activists and Democratic leaders.
Posted inHousing & Development
Live Oak neighbors appeal approval of 57-unit Capitola Road project, challenge use of state’s ‘builder’s remedy’ law
Residents near a proposed Capitola Road apartment complex led by local developer Workbench are appealing the Santa Cruz County planning commission’s approval of the project, arguing the builder can’t take advantage of state laws to override local control.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Bob Dylan tribute show at Kuumbwa Jazz to raise funds for Housing Matters
Housing Matters will be the beneficiary of a Nov. 21 tribute to Bob Dylan at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center to help raise money for the Santa Cruz nonprofit’s shelters and other programs.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why are Housing Matters’ vital day services for unhoused people being closed?
OPINION: Housing Matters — Santa Cruz County’s largest homelessness nonprofit — plans in March to shut down its Coral Street day services, including public showers, bathrooms and a mailroom. The closure comes with no clear transition plan, writes Marsa Greenspan, a former Housing Matters employee.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley on Measure C’s long road to success and next steps
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley celebrated the narrow passage of Measure C, the city’s Workforce Housing Affordability Act, which will generate about $4.5 million annually through new property and real estate transfer taxes to fund affordable housing and homelessness initiatives.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Election 2025: Measure C widens victory with Friday results
Measure C has solidified its lead in Santa Cruz’s competing affordable housing ballot measures, earning 54% of the city’s vote compared to just 12% for Measure B. The measure, expected to raise $4.5 million annually through new property taxes, continues to gain ground as officials tally the remaining 8% of county ballots.
Posted inHousing & Development
Election 2025: Santa Cruz affordable housing advocates celebrate win on Measure C
Santa Cruz voters have approved Measure C, the housing advocate-supported ballot initiative, with more than 53% of the vote, while the competing Measure B, supported by local real estate interests, failed with just 11.9%. County officials continue counting ballots, with the next update on Friday at 4 p.m.