This page covers Section 8 and other affordable-housing programs in Santa Cruz County, California. Everything below is drawn from federal HUD datasets, with the source and refresh date for each one shown at the bottom of the page.
Who administers housing assistance here
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program in Santa Cruz County is administered by Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, (831) 454-9455. Housing authorities — not landlords, and not this website — decide who is eligible, run the waiting lists and issue vouchers.
HUD identifies this authority by the code CA072. It reports 5,674 Housing Choice Voucher units and 0 public housing units in its portfolio.
FY2026 income limits for Santa Cruz County
HUD sets income limits by area rather than by city. This county sits in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA income-limit area, where the FY2026 area median family income is $137,200.
| Household size | Extremely low income (30%) | Very low income (50%) | Low income (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $45,700 | $76,150 | $122,200 |
| 2 people | $52,200 | $87,000 | $139,650 |
| 3 people | $58,750 | $97,900 | $157,100 |
| 4 people | $65,250 | $108,750 | $174,550 |
| 5 people | $70,500 | $117,450 | $188,500 |
| 6 people | $75,700 | $126,150 | $202,500 |
| 7 people | $80,950 | $134,850 | $216,450 |
| 8 people | $86,150 | $143,550 | $230,450 |
The very low income (50%) column is the figure most often used as the income ceiling for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program. Federal rules also require housing authorities to direct at least 75% of new voucher admissions to extremely low income households.
FY2026 Fair Market Rents
Fair Market Rent is HUD’s estimate of what a modest unit rents for, including utilities, in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA MSA area. Housing authorities use it to set the payment standard that caps voucher assistance. It is not a rent cap and it is not what any particular landlord charges.
| Unit size | FY2026 Fair Market Rent |
|---|---|
| Studio / efficiency | $3,179 / month |
| 1 bedroom | $3,298 / month |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,214 / month |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,377 / month |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,659 / month |
Assisted and affordable properties recorded in Santa Cruz County
HUD records 63 subsidised or tax-credit properties in this county. Each is listed below under the program that federal records actually associate it with. None of these listings means a unit is currently vacant or that applications are open.
HUD-Assisted Properties
Properties with an active HUD subsidy contract, such as Project-Based Section 8, Section 202 housing for the elderly, or Section 811 housing for people with disabilities.
| Property | Address | Classification | Units | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbor Cove | 84 Blackburn St, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 35 assisted | (831) 454-9548 |
| Casa De Exito | 107 California St, Watsonville 95076 | HUD-Assisted Property | 5 assisted | (831) 469-1700 |
| Casa Linda | 1840 Maciel Ave, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 20 assisted | (831) 462-1943 |
| Clifford Manor | 240 Clifford Ave, Watsonville 95076 | HUD-Assisted Property | 100 assisted | (831) 724-4333 |
| Dakotas, The | 3245 Clares St, Capitola 95010 | HUD-Assisted Property | 24 assisted | (831) 462-6137 |
| East Cliff Village Apartments | 1635 Tremont Dr, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 75 assisted | (831) 462-2400 |
| Elizabeth Oaks Apts. | 1460 Jose Ave, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 126 assisted | (831) 457-5725 |
| Garfield Park Village | 721 Bay St, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 84 assisted | (831) 423-3411 |
| Gault Street Sr Hsg | 211 Gault St, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 36 assisted | (831) 471-1911 |
| Grace Commons | 1041 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 14 assisted | (831) 469-1700 Ext. 1021 |
| Independence Square | 1355 Madison St, Watsonville 95076 | HUD-Assisted Property | 100 assisted | (831) 724-6397 |
| La Posada | 609 Frederick St, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 122 assisted | (831) 429-9230 |
| Mission Gardens | 90 Grandview St, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 50 assisted | (831) 426-2036 |
| Monarch Housing Project | 2206 40th Ave, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 18 assisted | (831) 469-1700 |
| Pajaro Vista | 1955 Pajaro Ln, Freedom 95019 | HUD-Assisted Property | 106 assisted | (831) 728-1552 |
| San Lorenzo Park Apts | 134 Dakota Ave, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 77 assisted | (831) 427-1841 |
| Santa Cruz Riverfront | 148 Blaine St Apt S, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 70 assisted | (831) 425-1276 |
| Seaside Apartments | 1380 30th Ave, Santa Cruz 95062 | HUD-Assisted Property | 84 assisted | (831) 475-1841 |
| Stepping Out Housing | 740 N Plymouth St, Santa Cruz 95060 | HUD-Assisted Property | 18 assisted | (831) 462-7176 |
| Via Pacifica Gardens | 1860 Via Pacifica, Aptos 95003 | HUD-Assisted Property | 80 assisted | (831) 688-3324 |
HUD records identify this as an affordable or assisted housing property. Current vacancies, eligibility and voucher policies must be confirmed directly with property management.
LIHTC Affordable Properties
Properties financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. LIHTC is a financing program, not Section 8 — rent is restricted, but a tax-credit property is not required to accept Housing Choice Vouchers and may have its own separate waiting list.
| Property | Address | Classification | Units | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APTOS BLUE APTS | 3200 APTOS RANCHO RD, APTOS 95003 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 39 assisted | — |
| BAY AVENUE SENIOR APTS | 750 BAY AVE, CAPITOLA 95010 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 108 assisted | — |
| CORRALITOS CREEK APTS | 125 PAJARO CIR, FREEDOM 95019 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 63 assisted | — |
| EAST CLIFF VILLAGE APARTMENTS | 1635 TREMONT DRIVE, SANTA CRUZ 95062 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 75 assisted | — |
| EL CENTRO | 1110 PACIFIC AVE, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 44 assisted | — |
| EMERALD HILL | 101 CIVIC CTR DR, SCOTTS VALLEY 95066 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 46 assisted | — |
| EVERGREEN APTS | 50 HOLLOW VIEW LN, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 28 assisted | — |
| GARFIELD PARK VILLAGE | 721 BAY STREET, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 84 assisted | — |
| JARDINES DEL VALLE | 76 MURPHY RD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 18 assisted | — |
| LA PLAYA | 218 LEIBRANDT AVE, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 8 assisted | — |
| MERRILL ROAD APTS | 3201 MERRILL RD, APTOS 95003 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 15 assisted | — |
| MINTO PLACE APTS | 15 MINTO RD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 88 total | — |
| MISSION GARDENS | 90 GRANDVIEW ST, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 49 assisted | — |
| MONARCH VILLAGE APTS | 1280 SHAFFER RD, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 83 assisted | — |
| NEARY LAGOON COOPERATIVE | 81 CHESTNUT ST, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 94 assisted | — |
| NORTHGATE APTS | 485 HOLOHAN RD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 81 assisted | — |
| NUEVA VISTA | 136 LEIBRANDT AVE, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 47 assisted | — |
| OCEAN STREET APARTMENTS | 350 OCEAN STREET, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 62 assisted | — |
| PACIFIC AVENUE APTS | 1010 PACIFIC AVE, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 23 assisted | — |
| PACIFIC TERRACE ASSOC | 131 LANDIS AVE, FREEDOM 95019 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 28 assisted | — |
| PACIFICA APTS | 201 PACIFICA BLVD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 19 assisted | — |
| PAJARO COURT | 170 PENNSYLVANIA DR, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 10 assisted | — |
| PALOMA DEL MAR | 2030 PAJARO LN, FREEDOM 95019 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 129 assisted | — |
| PARKHURST TERRACE | 100 PARKHURST CIR, APTOS 95003 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 67 assisted | — |
| PIPPIN ORCHARDS APARTMENTS | 56 ATKINSON LANE, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 45 assisted | — |
| RIVERWALK APARTMENTS | 110 LINDBERG STREET, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 20 assisted | — |
| RIVERWALK APTS (SANTA CRUZ) | 110 LINDBERG ST, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 20 total | — |
| SAN ANDREAS FARM LABOR CAMP | 295 SAN ANDREAS RD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 42 assisted | — |
| SCHAPIRO KNOLLS | 33 MINTO RD, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 87 assisted | — |
| SEACLIFF HIGHLANDS APTS | 151 CANTERBURY DR, APTOS 95003 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 38 assisted | — |
| ST. STEPHENS SENIOR HOUSING | 2510 SOQUEL AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ 95062 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 39 assisted | — |
| STONE CREEK APTS | 300 BREE LN, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 119 assisted | — |
| SUNNY MEADOWS APTS | 220 ROSS AVE, FREEDOM 95019 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 198 assisted | — |
| SYCAMORE STREET COMMONS | 125 SYCAMORE ST, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 60 assisted | — |
| TANNERY ARTIST LOFTS | 1030 RIVER ST, SANTA CRUZ 95060 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 99 assisted | — |
| THE FARM | 3120 CUNNISON LN, SOQUEL 95073 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 39 assisted | — |
| TIERRA LINDA | 490 BECK ST, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 18 assisted | — |
| VIA DEL MAR | 124 W BEACH ST, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 39 assisted | — |
| VILLA LA POSADA | 34 ORTEGA DR, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 42 assisted | — |
| VILLAS DEL PARAISO | 340A PARAISO DR, WATSONVILLE 95076 | LIHTC Affordable Property | 50 assisted | — |
HUD records identify this as an affordable or assisted housing property. Current vacancies, eligibility and voucher policies must be confirmed directly with property management.
How to apply
- Contact the administering housing authority named above. Only they can tell you whether a waiting list is open.
- Check the income limits in the table above for your household size. Income is one factor, not the whole test.
- Ask about local preferences. Many authorities prioritise applicants who live or work in the area, veterans, people with disabilities, or families experiencing homelessness.
- Ask for the landlord list. Most authorities keep a list of owners who have accepted vouchers before. It is usually free and rarely published online.
Related housing resources
Other counties in California
Income limits and Fair Market Rents are set per county, so if you are near a county line check the guide for the county you actually live in.
Where this information comes from
| Dataset | Published by | Source last refreshed | We last synced |
|---|---|---|---|
| HUD Public Housing Authorities | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 18 August 2026 | 22 September 2026 |
| HUD Section 8 Income Limits FY2026 | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research | not published by the provider | 22 September 2026 |
| HUD Fair Market Rents | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 30 September 2025 | 22 September 2026 |
| HUD Multifamily Properties – Assisted | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 21 July 2026 | 22 September 2026 |
| HUD Public Housing Developments | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 21 July 2026 | 22 September 2026 |
| HUD Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Properties | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | 14 May 2025 | 22 September 2026 |
These are federal administrative datasets. They record which properties receive a subsidy and which organisations administer which programs. They do not record vacancies, waiting-list status, or whether a landlord will accept a Housing Choice Voucher. Those things change constantly and can only be confirmed by contacting the housing authority or the property directly.
Important
Section8Finder is an independent information resource. We do not administer vouchers, we do not accept or process applications, and we cannot place anyone in housing. Applying through a housing authority is free — if any site asks you to pay to apply for Section 8, do not pay.
Income limits and Fair Market Rents are set by HUD and are revised at least annually. Eligibility is determined by the administering housing authority, which applies rules beyond income alone, including deductions, assets, household composition, citizenship or eligible immigration status, screening criteria and local preferences.