Two assembly members, one of whom represents part of Santa Cruz County, are continuing a statewide tour next week aimed at finding ways for legislation to help solve the state’s housing crisis. The invite-only meetings are with housing advocates and stakeholders, but a public report based on the findings will be published later in October.
Places / Housing
Posted inHousing & Development
Q&A: Director of county office of response, recovery and resilience talks about the CZU rebuilding process
Dave Reid is in charge of making the process of rebuilding as easy as possible for those who lost their homes in the wake of the CZU fire. The director of the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery and Resilience said he understands families’ frustrations and is looking for ways to help.
Posted inHousing & Development
Today’s the final day of the eviction moratorium: Here’s what you need to know
California’s eviction moratorium expires today. Fortunately, there are options available for additional rental support — here’s how to find those resources and how to apply. Locally, there are millions left available to those who need it.
Posted inHousing & Development
Homeless Garden Project one step closer to a permanent home in Pogonip
The Santa Cruz City Council has approved a plan that moves the Homeless Garden Project to a permanent home on the upper meadows at Pogonip, near UCSC’s upper campus. The two-year process will seek public input and look into environmental impacts.
Posted inHousing & Development
Habitat for Humanity opens applications for Live Oak project
The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity announced Wednesday that it is accepting applications for a six-unit project in Live Oak. As Family Services Manager Everardo Jaime Jr. — who was a recipient of the program in 2011 — said, “a lot of families would be surprised that they would be a fit — giving it a shot is important.”
Posted inHousing & Development
Don’t be fooled: California’s new housing laws make significant changes to zoning
California’s urban areas must become more densely populated to provide enough affordable housing for 40 million-plus people, columnist George Skelton writes.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Why red-hot Boulder Creek & the 95006 are bucking expectations: Tech influx began with social, political unrest
Looking for refuge in the redwoods, many “people in Silicon Valley wanted to get out of the cities. I’ve been working here since 2004 … and this is the busiest year we’ve ever had,” said one local realtor. A closer look at how and why a fire-ravaged zone remains one of the county’s hottest real estate markets.
Posted inHousing & Development
California commits $500 million more to student housing: ‘A drop in the bucket’
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature reached a deal that will provide $500 million toward affordable student housing this year and possibly up to $2 billion in future years. Experts say it’s “a drop in the bucket” compared to what’s needed.
Posted inHousing & Development
Santa Cruz median home price up again: How our real estate figures stack up with our neighbors
The median price of a single-family home in Santa Cruz County rose to $1,255,000 in August — just off the all-time high. We crunch the numbers to see how our real estate looks compared to Monterey County and our neighbors in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Proposed change to Santa Cruz mixed-use library plan exposes deep divides
On Monday, two groups sent a proposal to Santa Cruz City Council asking it to reevaluate spending $2.29 million on the library master architect contract. But some affordable housing advocates say the proposal will take away affordable units from downtown under the guise of more open space for Santa Cruzans.