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Housing and Homelessness in Santa Cruz County - 2005. In 2003, 51% of all households in Santa Cruz County spent 50% of their income on housing, and 20% paid more than 75% on housing. This is a significant increase over 2002 when 45% spent more than 50% of their income on housing, but even more shockingly, 70% of households earning less than $35,000 pay half of their income or more for housing. So begins this report released from the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. called Housing and Homelessness in Santa Cruz County - 2005 Housing and Homelessness in Santa Cruz County, 2003- The shortage of affordable housing is the greatest economic threat facing the region.” So begins a new report, released Thursday, from the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. called Housing and Homelessness in Santa Cruz County, June 2003. The Housing Element – A Progressive Approach This report has been prepared by the Progressive Housing Advocates Task Force (PHAT), a broad-based coalition of individuals and community groups dedicated to the development of affordable housing for low, very low income and extremely low income people throughout Santa Cruz County. PHAT includes representatives of environmental groups, as well as advocates for the disabled, for homeless persons, for farmworkers, for children and seniors, and for low-wage workers who live and work in Santa Cruz County Five-year Strategic Plan on Homelessness 2003-2007 prepared by the Santa Cruz County Continuum of Care Coordinating Group. Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County Inc.: Statement of Housing Principles HelpSCC.org Information and Referral Database: Search hundreds of non-profits in the Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties. For up-to-the-minute information on National Homelessness visit: Breaking News from The National Coalition For The Homeless Housing First, NPR News: In the year long special reporting project Housing First, NPR News explores the housing dilemmas of Americans with special needs -- and how lack of housing can stymie their efforts to join mainstream society. Santa Cruz County Community Assessment Project, Year 9 : Provides a comprehensive view of the quality of life in Santa Cruz County. Released November 2003. Inclusionary Zoning: Links to information about this viable Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis. Santa Cruz County Homeless 2000 Census and Needs Assessment: August 2000 - Still the best report available for information about homelessness in Santa Cruz County. The first scientific survey completed in 10 years. Hunger, Homelessness On the Rise in Major U.S. Cities December 2002: Washington, DC -- As housing costs continued to rise faster than incomes and the national economy remained weak, requests for emergency food assistance increased an average of 19 percent over the past year, according to a 25-city survey released today by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The survey also found that requests for emergency shelter assistance grew an average of 19 percent in the 18 cities that reported an increase, the steepest rise in a decade. Founded in 1981, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has emerged over the past two decades as one of the leading organizations in the country working on fiscal policy issues and issues affecting low- and moderate-income families and individuals. The Center specializes in research and analysis oriented toward policy decisions that policymakers face at both federal and state levels. The Center examines data and research findings and produces analyses designed to be accessible to public officials, other non-profit organizations, and the media. Farmworker Housing and Health Assessment Study – Salinas and Pajaro Valley Final Report, June 2001, prepared for the counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz and released in early June of 2001 by Applied Survey Research and The Center for Community Advocacy, a large body of comparative statistical data illustrates the current severity of housing and health issues that affect seasonal and migrant farmworkers. (Requires a free Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download.). CAB, INC: 2001 Statement of Housing Principles. August 2001. The Santa Cruz City Council Homeless Issues Task Force
Final Report April 2000 The Homeless Issues Task Force was formed by the City Council to study
homeless issues and to develop recommendations to the Santa Cruz City Council
for ameliorating the conditions and conflicts relating to homelessness.
1) the development of permanent year round shelter for all segments
of the homeless community;
Homeless Garden Project...The Homeless Garden Project began in 1990 to provide homeless people with meaningful labor and a place of beauty and safety. Over the years, it has evolved into a three year job-training and transitional employment program for homeless and marginalized people.
Housing California Housing California, is focused to build support for policies and programs that expand the availability of affordable housing, improve health care, education, and community economic development. We are also committed to promoting justice for immigrants, people with disabilities and people of color, and provide a safety net for those in need. One of the primary lessons we can derive from the past is that our greatest strength comes in working together, reaching across what divides us to advance our vision of a better future. The Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California (NPH) strives to preserve, develop, and manage quality housing, along with appropriate supportive services, to improve the lives of those in need. A decent, safe, affordable home for every Northern California resident is the ultimate goal of NPH. National Coalition
For the Homeless National Low Income
Housing Coalition
Habitat for Humanity International HomeBase: The Center for Common Concerns Housing Assistance Council, Inc. National Center for Homeless Education National Alliance to End Homelessness National Coalition for Homeless Veterans National Health Care for the Homeless Council National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty National Low Income Housing Coalition National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness OUT OF REACH: AMERICA'S GROWING WAGE-RENT DISPARITY - National Low Income Housing Coalition's annual report paints a clear picture of housing affordability for low-income people nationwide, state by state and county by county. The "national housing wage" -- what a full-time worker must earn per hour in order to afford the Fair Market Rent, paying no more than 30% of income, is $13.87 per hour. The federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. Least affordable metro areas in the nation: San Francisco and San Jose. Santa Cruz/Watsonville metro area is 7th. September 2001 CA.Landmark
Study Quantifies for the First Time the Cost of Keeping Mentally Ill People on
the Streets.
The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness: The National Alliance to End Homelessness had developed a groundbreaking and ambitious new campaign to combat homelessness in America. The campaign is the result of a year-long collaborative planning process involving the Alliance's staff, member organizations, and Board, as well as noted national experts on the issue of homelessness. Its goal is nothing less than to end the crisis of homelessness in America within the next ten years. Using TANF Funds to Reduce Homelessness April 2001, A policy brief from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points out that states and counties can use federal TANF funds for short-term homelessness prevention measures while not subjecting recipients to federal 60-month lifetime time limit on receipt of TANF assistance. National Housing Trust Fund, April 8, 2001 Initial goal to produce, rehabilitate, and preserve 1,500,000 units of housing by 2010. From: Center for Community Change. 12/14/2000 - US Mayors' 16th Annual Survey on "Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities" Finds Increased Levels of Hunger, Increased Capacity to Meet Demand. Affordable Housing Cited as Primary Factor in Largest Emergency Shelter Demand in a Decade. Out of Reach, from the National Low Income Housing Coalition,,, Released 9/20/2000: The Growing Gap Between Housing Costs and Income of Poor People in the United States and also see The "Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness" from the National Alliance to End Homelessness - AND---CA Study Finds High Caseloads Prevent Social Workers from Helping Children and Families 10/31/00 Child Welfare study reveals overwhelming caseloads place children at risk. And for a general introduction to Homelessness in America go to: Homeless in America from Encyclopedia Britannica on the Web Out
of Reach 1999 Santa Cruz County Homeless 2000 Census and Needs Assessment Homeless in America from Encyclopedia Britanica on the Web For More Information Contact: |
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