The Shelter Project

Motel Vouchers, 457-1741 ext 190

Motel vouchers may be available for homeless families or individuals who are encountering emergency medical situations which threaten their health and/or safety. People who are in the hospital and in need of a motel voucher will receive a referral to The Shelter Project from the hospital social workers. People who are ill or injured and on the street, living in a car or a emergency shelter will receive referrals from the Homeless Person’s Health Project (Call 454-2080). People who have AIDS or HIV will receive a referral from The Santa Cruz AIDS Project.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. must be homeless and/or shelterless;
2. income must not exceed 130% of Poverty Guidelines as defined by the State of California Department of Economic Opportunity for 2004.
3. have been in the hospital as an inpatient for at least one night. or; must have AIDS or be HIV positive or have Tuberculosis, referred by the Health Services Agency.

Rental/Mortgage Assistance, 457-1741 ext 152 (English) or ext 153 (Spanish)

Intake is done at both the Santa Cruz office and the Watsonville office.

A person who is eligible:

1. must be a resident of the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz City, or Capitola;
2. must have proof that aid will prevent eviction;
3. must provide an eviction notice for their landlord or a foreclosure notice from their bank or lending institution, if the client is a homeowner;
4. must have no other resources available;
5. income must not exceed 130% of Poverty Guidelines for households in Scotts Valley, and Watsonville. For households in the Unincorporated areas of the county, and the City of Santa Cruz, the income limit is 200% of Poverty Guidelines as defined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
6. must be disabled single, elderly, or a household with children.

Rent/Mortgage Assistance Application Forms:

The rent/mortgage assistance program serves low income households with children or households without children if one of the people is temporarily or permanently disabled and cannot work or is 60 years of age or older. The purpose of the program is to prevent eviction or foreclosure; it is not to help move into a new home (for assistance with a deposit to move into a new home call the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County at: 831-454-9455). At this time the program has funding for all areas of Santa Cruz County except for households in the cities of Watsonville and Scotts Valley.

To apply for rent/mortgage assistance, please download and print out the forms below and mail them to:

CAB Inc. - Rent/Mortgage Assistance Program

501 Soquel Ave., Suite E

Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Risk of Homelessness Form

Rent Assistance Application Form

If you would like CAB to mail you the forms please call 831-457-1741 ext 152. For information on other rental assistance resources in the County, click here.

Shelter Hotline

A. The Shelter Hot-Line: Santa Cruz (831/457-1741) and Watsonville (831/728-4634) provides 8 hour/day, 5 day/week information on availability of services to homeless and shelterless people and people at risk of becoming homeless. The program coordinates with shelter providers in the County.

B. Resource Guide for Homeless and Shelterless People in Santa Cruz County. The Shelter Project publishes a listing of County resources for homeless and shelterless people. The guide is distributed to over 350 organizations that have contact with clients who are homeless or shelterless. The guide, called "Resources For Homeless and Shelterless People in Santa Cruz County" is updated yearly if possible.

Message Center Voicemail

The Shelter Project Voice Mail program (The Message Center) provides a voicemail box for homeless people in emergency and transitional shelter facilities or on the street, or people who are at risk of homelessness. The voicemail makes it possible for people to communicate with service providers, medical professionals, prospective landlords and employers. The Message Center uses innovative, state-of-the-art, voicemail technology that overcomes obstacles which have limited homeless persons from communicating with the rest of society, free from the stigma often associated with homelessness. Clients have use of a voicemail box until they can afford a cell phone full time. Referrals for voicemail must come from local providers of services to homeless or shelterless people. Individuals must meet Shelter Project Income Guidelines. Clients can bring a referral to The Shelter Project on Thursday afternoon from 1:30 to 4 pm. Click here for a copy of the referral form.

Contact Information