The Division was formed in November 2020 as part of the County Human Services Department to drive strong collaborative action to ensure all residents within Santa Cruz County have stable, safe, and healthy places to live.
The Division provides staffing support to the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care, a local body, designated by the federal and state government to coordinate efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Homelessness, housing instability, and a lack of affordable housing options severely impact the health and quality of life for our entire community, especially those living unhoused.
Our work is guided by a three-year framework developed in partnership with community partners and residents.
Click here to view the 2024 – 2027 Strategic Framework for addressing homelessness in Santa Cruz County.
The Framework calls for collective action in four key areas with examples below: