The Housing Programs Division is responsible for assisting with affordable housing programs and services in the community.

Have questions about housing support services?

Please review the following information regarding income-based rentals, rental agencies, private property management companies, community services, and legal support:

 Rental and Housing Support Services (English & Spanish)

Aging and Disability Resource Directory

CSWD Service Matrix

For more information about housing programs, services and availability, please contact:

Planning and Land Use Division

2301 Technology Parkway
Hollister, CA 95023
Phone: 831-637-5313
Email: sbcplan@sanbenitocountyca.gov 

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz – Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (San Benito County)

The Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz administers the federally funded Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program for residents of Santa Cruz County and the cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista in San Benito County. This program provides rental assistance to low-income individuals and families, helping participants secure safe, stable housing in the private rental market.

Through the voucher program, eligible households typically pay approximately 30% of their income toward rent, while the Housing Authority subsidizes the remaining cost directly to participating landlords. Participants can choose from a range of housing types—including apartments, duplexes, and single-family homes—so long as units meet program requirements.

In addition to tenant-based vouchers, the program includes project-based vouchers tied to specific affordable housing units, as well as specialized assistance for populations such as youth exiting foster care, families at risk of homelessness, and persons with disabilities.

 *If you are seeking information related to Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz operates these programs on behalf of San Benito County. Please contact the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz at 831-454-9455 or visit their website at https://www.hacosantacruz.org/ for more information. 

Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco – Affordable Housing Program (AHP)

The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) administers the Affordable Housing Program (AHP), one of the nation’s largest private sources of grant funding for affordable housing development. Through AHP, the Bank partners with local financial institutions, nonprofit organizations, and developers to support the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.

AHP grants are awarded through a competitive process and fund a wide range of projects, including rental housing, homeownership opportunities, and supportive housing for vulnerable populations such as seniors, farmworkers, and formerly unhoused individuals. These investments often incorporate community-serving amenities like childcare, job training, and health services to strengthen long-term community stability.

Across California and the broader region, FHLBank San Francisco has committed billions of dollars to affordable housing initiatives, helping create and preserve thousands of homes each year and expanding access to safe, stable, and affordable housing in both urban and rural communities.

View the Affordable Housing Program Webpage for more information.

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) – San Benito County

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) is a nonprofit legal aid organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of San Benito County and other rural communities across California. CRLA assists individuals and families with issues related to housing, employment, education, immigration, public benefits, and health access.

In San Benito County, CRLA also partners with local agencies to support fair housing enforcement, including investigating discrimination complaints, offering counseling and mediation, and providing legal representation when needed.

Services may include full legal representation, brief advice, community education, and referrals, depending on the client’s needs and eligibility. CRLA is committed to advancing justice and equity for underserved rural populations, including farmworkers and immigrant communities.

Local residents can access services through CRLA’s Website https://crla.org/, their Watsonville office by phone (831) 724-2253 located at 21 Carr St, Watsonville, CA 95076 or regional hotline 1-800-337-0690.

California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) es una organización sin fines de lucro que proporciona  servicios legales civiles gratuitos a residentes de bajos ingresos del Condado de San Benito y de otras comunidades rurales en todo California. CRLA ayuda a individuos y familias con asuntos relacionados con vivienda, empleo, educación, inmigración, beneficios públicos y acceso a servicios de salud.

En el Condado de San Benito, CRLA también colabora con agencias locales para apoyar la aplicación de leyes de vivienda justa, incluyendo la investigación de quejas por discriminación, la provisión de asesoría y mediación, y la representación legal cuando es necesario.

Los servicios pueden incluir representación legal completa, consejos, educación comunitaria y referencias, según las necesidades y la elegibilidad del cliente. CRLA está comprometida con promover la justicia y la equidad para poblaciones rurales, incluyendo trabajadores agrícolas y comunidades inmigrantes.

Los residentes locales pueden acceder a los servicios a través del sitio web de CRLA https://crla.org/, su oficina en Watsonville por teléfono al (831) 724-2253, ubicada en 21 Carr St, Watsonville, CA 95076, la línea directa regional 1-800-337-0690.

Available Affordable Units

 •Check out the Santa Ranch Apartments pre application for low-income units

The Apartments at Santana Ranch

Pre Application_SRA_Low-Income_6.18.2025

•Check out Midpen Housing Cienega Heights in Watsonville Ca for the opportunity to apply for a lottery to be selected for one (1) of forty-two available units. Apply online at htps://www.midpen-housing.org/property/cienega-heights/ or call the Leasing Office at (831) 707-2130.

• Check out Eden Housing Inc. Monticelli Apartments in Gilroy, Ca for a Garden Style 1 bedroom 1 bath. Call (408) 848-0003