An audit found an obscure state committee led by top elected officials missed spending deadlines for affordable housing bonds nearly a decade ago. Few are around to explain why.
Housing
Posted inHousing & Development
‘Very good experience’: Streamlined permitting process shows early success for CZU fire home rebuilders
An expedited permit system, and a 40 percent reduction in fees for fire victims, are aimed at easing the path to recovery for owners of homes lost in the blaze that ripped through the Santa Cruz Mountains in August and September. Can county officials keep it up?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
With COVID-related funding to end, county allots $8 million for ‘rehousing wave,’ but not without questions
County Supervisor Manu Koenig is questioning the county’s “rapid rehousing” effort, saying “I’d much rather be paying people who are building housing, or for housing supply itself, rather than paying a bunch of people sitting behind desks.”
Posted inHousing & Development
Protesters detained by LAPD near Echo Park homeless encampment
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inVaccine Watch
PHOTOS: Santa Cruz County begins vaccinating its homeless residents
After the California Department of Public Health expanded the eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccine to include people experiencing homelessness, Santa Cruz County began inoculations with a clinic at Housing Matters on Tuesday. Lookout photo contributor Kevin Painchaud captured the scene.
Posted inHousing & Development
Could San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment move back to the Benchlands? Judge set to decide soon
In a new proposal submitted to a federal judge Wednesday, the city of Santa Cruz suggested moving the residents of the San Lorenzo Park homeless encampment to the Benchlands, another section of the park, with room for more than 100 tents and rules in place for residents.
Posted inHousing & Development
$16M rent relief program for Santa Cruz County tenants, landlords launches — but not without snafus
To apply or verify eligibility for the rent relief program, applicants can visit HousingIsKey.com. While the program was meant to fully launch Monday, some local community partners say the effort did not go smoothly.
Posted inUncategorized
Big riverfront development in downtown Santa Cruz withstands appeal, setting stage for construction
The California Coastal Commission found “no substantial issues” with the development, which will add 175 housing units, new commercial space, and public plazas to downtown along the San Lorenzo River.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The ADU, tiny home push: Concept of pre-approved plans, ’30-minute’ permit process move forward unanimously
The march toward ADUs and tiny homes becoming more viable options to add to Santa Cruz County’s housing inventory continued at Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz OKs controversial, sweeping changes to where homeless can live, but implementation to be delayed
Before Tuesday’s meeting, the city again received more than 700 pages of written comments about the proposed ‘outdoor living’ ordinance. Hours before it was discussed, several dozen people rallied outside Santa Cruz City Hall in protest.