Last updated: April 2026

Have a question we didn’t answer or a resource we forgot to include? Email us at [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is a news organization and cannot directly assist with housing issues or give legal advice. 

Rent help

Community Action Board Rental Assistance Program

Serves low-income residents, families with children, disabled people and those 60 or older who are at risk of eviction.

  • Get more info or call 831-457-1741.
  • Visit 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 406 Main St. Suite 222 in Watsonville, and 501 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz.

Valley Churches United

Provides one-time assistance with rent or mortgage payments to residents of San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley and Bonny Doon. 

  • Visit 9400 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, during food pantry hours, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday.
  • Seniors may also visit 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. first and third Fridays. 
  • Requires photo ID and proof of residency. 
  • See more info or call (831)-336-8258.

St. Vincent De Paul Society 

Rent assistance for residents in Scotts Valley, the San Lorenzo Valley, Capitola, eastside Santa Cruz and Live Oak.

Help with energy and utility Bills

PG&E financial assistance: 

PG&E offers multiple programs for help with energy bills: 

  • Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA): offers an 18% discount on your monthly energy bill for low-income ratepayers. Get more info and download a printed application, or apply online.
  • California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): offers a 20% discount for ratepayers enrolled in other welfare programs, like MediCal or CalFresh. Get more info and download a print application or apply online. The application is the same for CARE and FERA.
  • Arrearage Management Plan (a debt forgiveness program): A monthly payment plan for past-due energy costs that could forgive up to $8,000 in debt for ratepayers with CARE or FERA. Get more info and apply.
  • Match My Payment Program: offers low-income ratepayers up to $1,000 to match payments towards past-due bills. Get more info and apply.
  • Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH): Up to $800 towards past-due payments for low-income ratepayers. Those with an Arrearage Management Plan are not eligible. Get more info and apply.
  • Request a payment plan or extension.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

A federally-funded credit offered once a year to low-income households. 

Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos: 

Can help fill out the LHEAP application in English or Spanish.

  • Visit Monday, Wednesday or Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 817 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz.
  • Call 831-457-8208 for more info or to make an appointment.

Valley Churches United

Provides assistance to residents of San Lorenzo Valley, Scotts Valley, and Bonny Doon

who have already attempted to use other programs like REACH and LIHEAP. 

  • Visit 9400 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, during food pantry hours, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday. Seniors may also visit 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. first and third Fridays. 
  • Requires photo ID and proof of residency.
  • See more info or call (831)-336-8258.

The Salvation Army 

 Provides assistance with PG&E bills.

  • Santa Cruz: Visit 721 Laurel St. Santa Cruz or call 831-426-8365.
  • Watsonville: Visit 232 Union Street Watsonville or call 831-724-3922.

St. Vincent De Paul Society 

Utility assistance for residents in Scotts Valley, the San Lorenzo Valley, Capitola, eastside Santa Cruz and Live Oak.

Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities Customer Assistance Program

  • Includes a monthly bill discount, fee waiver for late payments and early warnings for possible leaks. Recipients must be enrolled in PG&E’s CARE program or another state welfare program, such as CalFresh or MediCal. See more details.
  • Enroll online or at 212 Locust St. Monday-Friday 1-3 p.m. 

San Lorenzo Valley Water District rate assistance program

A limited number of low-income customers can receive a monthly discount on their bill — $25 as of 2015. Applicants must be enrolled in PG&E’s CARE program. 

San Lorenzo Valley Water District payment plans

Customers unable to pay their water bill can request a payment arrangement to avoid late fees or shutoffs. The district will consider all circumstances surrounding the request and decide whether to grant a payment plan. 

  • To request a payment plan, call 831-338-2153 Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

Low-income internet and phone plans

Lifeline phone plans

A state program for low-income residents that offers discounted phone service. Multiple companies in Santa Cruz County work with this program, including Assurance and SafeLink, and can help with applications. 

Comcast Internet Essentials

A low-cost XFinity internet plan for low-income customers. Recipients must not have had Xfinity for at least 90 days, and must have no outstanding Comcast balance.

Cruzio Equal Access Internet

A low-cost internet plan with free installation.

Other resources

Partnership for Children 

Help with basic living expenses such as rent or utilities for youth or parents of children with serious illnesses. Available to children and youth 21 years old or less in Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito County.

  • See more info or call 831-422-3002 Monday- Fri 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.

Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services 

Assistance for parents of children with cancer. Offers help with rent, utilities, phone, medical prescriptions, funerals and memorials, and other expenses. Also offers caregiver support provided by trained volunteers. 

Families In Transition (FIT) Rapid Rehousing 

Housing services, case management, and rental assistance to unhoused children and unaccompanied youth ages 18-24 throughout Santa Cruz County.