CARES Rental Assistance Program

CARES Act Rental Assistance Program for Unincorporated Areas

ATTENTION: New applications not accepted at this time.

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ CARES EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ERAP)

A collaboration of the County of Santa Cruz, Families in Transition and CAB of Santa Cruz County, Inc.

As directed by the Board of Supervisors, the County has allocated a portion of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds to provide housing stabilization assistance to residents of unincorporated Santa Cruz County who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and whose housing is at risk because they are in arrears for rent and/or utility payments.
 
Requirements:
Emergency rental assistance is limited to income eligible residents in the unincorporated areas of  Santa Cruz County (residents of the cities of Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz, Capitola and Watsonville are NOT eligible for this assistance) whose annual income is under 80% percent of the area median income (AMI). If you are not sure whether your household is in an unincorporated area, you may check on this MAP. Assistance is limited to applicants who have lost or experienced a reduction in employment or income either permanently or temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who are in arrears for rent and/or utility payments, with a maximum per household based on need and availability of funds.

 New applications will be accepted from Friday, October 30th until funding runs out. Households that are selected for assistance will need to provide proof of residence in the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County, COVID-19 financial impacts, past due rent and/or utility payments and have a lease or rental agreement with their landlord. Approved assistance will be provided directly to the utility company or landlord, and the landlord must sign rental agreement and stop eviction forms. 

Online Application

***Closed until further notice***

Physical Application

Offices are closed for the Winter Holidays through: 

January 11th, 2021

Families In Transition (F.I.T.)
903 Pacific Avenue
Suite 304
Santa Cruz, CA. 95060

Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (C.A.B.)
406 Main Street
Suite 313
Watsonville, CA. 95076

Application By Phone

Those without internet access or ability to obtain a physical application may call the CARES program during the following hours: 
Monday-Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Please note, the office will be closed for the Winter Holidays through January 11th, 2021.

(831) 316-9877