CAB Community Action Plan Survey 2023

Every two years, CAB surveys low-income people across Santa Cruz County and uses the data to outline a two year plan for CAB will use its resources to address poverty. This time around, we heard from over 500 voices through:

  • 373 surveys of low-income people conducted March – April 2023. Primary languages: 242 Spanish, 85 English, 46 Indigenous Languages.
  • 56 Partner surveys from Community Based, Faith Based, Govt/Public, Education & Private Sectors.
  • 7 Focus groups with 64 low-income parents, teens, day workers, immigrants & indigenous language speaking farmworkers.
  • 35 low-income and community attendees in addition to CAB Board members and staff at the 4/26/23 Zoom Town Hall Public Hearing.

The Community Action Plan (CAP) is a critical part of what makes our national network of Community Action Agencies so effective in the movement to eliminate poverty and create social change.

To see our full length report, please click here.

Recommendations for action:

  1. Invest in employment readiness and support
    programs, as well as financial/cash assistance such as tax/rent/child
    credits, that are accessible to all low-income people regardless of
    immigration status or language spoken.
  2. Increase culturally and linguistically competent
    physical (including food assistance) and mental health support for those
    impacted by public health and climate disasters.
  3. Invest in resilient relationships with Indigenous
    and people of color-led organizations that can support equitable outreach,
    education and policy advocacy for comprehensive individual and
    family-focused programs and services.
  4. Ensure innovative affordable housing
    opportunities through prioritizing low-income units (including tiny homes
    and ADU’s), targeted housing voucher distribution, rapid rehousing
    assistance and robust renter’s relief programs for all low-income
    households regardless of immigration status or language spoken.
  5. Continue to collaborate, resource and elevate the
    climate change conversation about impacts on our local and regional
    communities, including preparedness education and recovery support.