When Anthony first arrived at one of the City's emergency shelters, he had been experiencing homelessness for nearly eight years. Since 2017, he had moved between shelters, service programs, and encampments while navigating depression, addiction and chronic health issues. Recently, Anthony shared a pivotal piece of his past with our shelter staff: he is an Iraq War veteran. 

Shelter staff mobilized to connect him with the Santa Cruz County Veterans Service Office, confirming his eligibility for veteran benefits. From there, a network of dedicated community partners stepped in: 

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) provided immediate housing assistance and tailored case management. Nation's Finest delivered essential healthcare, employment support, and additional housing resources.  

With a stable shelter environment and the support of veteran advocates, Anthony was able to focus on his health and long-term housing goals. 

His perseverance and courage paid off. Anthony successfully secured the benefits he earned through his military service, including a HUD-VASH Housing Choice Voucher. This crucial federal program pairs ongoing rental assistance with dedicated case management from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  

Later this month, Anthony will take the ultimate step forward by moving into his own home through a local Permanent Supportive Housing program. There, he will enjoy independent, long-term housing and robust wrap-around services—surrounded by a supportive community. 

Anthony’s journey is a powerful reminder that ending homelessness is possible. 

The City of Santa Cruz is inviting community members to help shape the future of the local coastline through a series of Community Conversations as part of the Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Initiative. 

City staff are developing community-based Shoreline Adaptation Management Plans and a set of medium-term strategies to prepare key coastal areas for the impacts of erosion, sea level rise, storms, and other coastal hazards over the next 30 years. Funded by the California Ocean Protection Council, the effort focuses on West Cliff, Main and Cowell Beach, and East Cliff and Seabright Beach. 

Community members are encouraged to participate in upcoming interactive workshops where they can explore coastal resilience strategies, discuss tradeoffs, and provide feedback that will help guide future coastal management project recommendations. 

The City of Santa Cruz has prevailed in litigation challenging the City's Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax, with the Sacramento Superior Court denying a petition filed by industry groups seeking to halt implementation of the voter-approved measure.  

The Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax was approved by Santa Cruz voters to generate general revenue for the City, with an eye toward funding services and programs that contribute to community health and wellbeing.  

The court is expected to enter a final judgment within the next one to two weeks. Once judgment is entered, the petitioners will have 60 days to file an appeal.  

Given the nature of the litigation, the City anticipates that an appeal is likely. It is unknown how long a potential appellate process might take, as timing depends on several factors, including the timing of the final judgment, whether and when an appeal is filed, and the schedule of California’s Third Appellate District.   

Until the appellate process is complete, the City will continue to defend the legality of the voter-approved tax and provide updates as significant developments occur. In the meantime, the City has established the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Oversight Committee and will continue to collect the tax in preparation for implementing initiatives to be supported by the revenue.   

Staff Spotlight: Patrick Mason

As the Wharf and Beaches Service Field Crew Leader, Patrick plays a key role in keeping some of Santa Cruz's most visited public spaces clean, safe, and welcoming. While much of his work happens behind the scenes, its impact is visible every day across the Wharf and beach areas.

Patrick helps coordinate the daily operations that keep these spaces running smoothly, including beach maintenance, equipment readiness, crew scheduling, trash and recycling services, and the countless details required to support heavy public use. In an environment where conditions can change quickly due to weather, tides, events, staffing needs, and visitor activity, Patrick consistently stays ahead of the challenges and keeps his team prepared.

A major part of Patrick's success is his ability to communicate and collaborate with a wide range of people, including visitors, Wharf businesses, event organizers, City staff, and community members. Just as importantly, Patrick is quick to recognize that none of this work happens alone, crediting the dedicated Wharf and Beaches team whose daily efforts make it all possible. Together, they approach every challenge with professionalism, patience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

Patrick's reliability, leadership, and commitment to public service make a meaningful difference for the Wharf and Beaches team and for the entire community. Thank you, Patrick, for everything you do to help keep Santa Cruz's waterfront welcoming and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. Thank you, Patrick!

City Arts is seeking a qualified curator to manage a Call for Artists for four downtown sculpture pads. This is a unique opportunity to shape public art in our downtown and will bring the program to a new level of professionalism. 

The selected curator will develop an equitable artist selection process aligned with the Santa Cruz Arts Commission's values, coordinate installation with chosen artists, and provide a game plan for staff to oversee a three-year rotating outdoor gallery—including marketing and sales support to get pieces sold.

Eligible applicants include independent curators, museums, non-profits, arts organizations, and artist-led teams. Experience with public art programs and community engagement is preferred. 

Deadline: August 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM 

The City partnered with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to host a watch party on Main Beach on Thursday, June 25th to show the USA vs. Turkiye match. The watch party included exclusive World Cup fan zone experiences sponsored by CocaCola and Bank of America and participation from Bay FC to provide giveaways to attendees. Thousands of attendees settled in to watch the game on the beach in front of a giant LED screen with iconic views of the Monterey Bay surrounding them. Santa Cruz was named an official Fan Zone by FIFA and the Bay Area. 

Santa Cruz County is all in on the World Cup. Many businesses across the City of Santa Cruz are hosting watch parties and we invite the community to go out and enjoy the rest of the tournament and support our local businesses.

Santa Cruz Municipal Utilities (SCMU) has expanded its Utility Customer Assistance Program (UCAP) to households who live in multi-unit complexes. This expansion provides financial assistance to income-qualifying households within SCMU’s service area whether or not they pay SCMU directly for utility services.  

Qualified, enrolled Single-Family UCAP customers receive a monthly discount applied directly to their SCMU bill, while Multi-Unit UCAP households receive a one-time utility assistance check to help offset a portion of their annual SCMU costs that are embedded in their rental fees. UCAP is available to households inside SCMU’s service area (generally Santa Cruz and Live Oak) who have proof of enrollment in a government assistance program, such as CalFresh or Medi-Cal or in PG&E’s CARE program.   

SCMU strives to provide high quality services and to help ensure access to those services for our most financially vulnerable community members. 

UCAP information and enrollment forms are available in both English and Spanish at the City’s website, via mail or in person at SCMU’s office (212 Locust St.). Additional inquiries should be directed to Megan Bunch, Program Analyst, 831-420-5546. 

Santa Cruz City voters approved Measure C, the Workforce Housing Affordability Act of 2025, to create a dedicated local funding source for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.  

Starting in the 2026–2027 fiscal year, most property owners will pay the parcel tax, which remains fixed for 20 years and is collected with regular property taxes. Residential landlords cannot pass this cost on to tenants. Some property owners qualify for exemptions, including eligible low-income homeowners, low-income seniors, affordable housing properties, and tax-exempt organizations. 

The transfer tax applies only to property sales above $1.8 million, with rates increasing by tier and many common exceptions.  

This webpage is the City’s official source for Measure C information, including how it works, timelines, and exemption details.  

Exemption Form and required documents: Due July 24th 

Discover the stories behind some of downtown Santa Cruz's most remarkable trees during the City's annual Downtown Tree Walk on Saturday, July 18, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. 

Led by City Urban Forester Leslie Keedy, this free guided tour will showcase more than 25 significant and historic trees while exploring their unique characteristics, history, and role in Santa Cruz's urban forest. The leisurely, one-mile walking tour includes a color map and informational handout for participants. 

Advance registration is required. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water and sun protection, and plan for a three-hour tour. The walk begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. in the City Hall Courtyard near the fountain across from the Public Library. Children and leashed dogs are welcome. 

Whether you're a tree enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a unique Saturday morning activity, the Downtown Tree Walk offers a fresh perspective on the natural beauty of Santa Cruz. 

The Parks and Recreation Department recently hosted two community outreach events to share early concepts and gather feedback on planned playground and site furnishings improvements at Poet's Park. The outreach events were held in Beach Flats Community Garden and, at the Nueva Vista Center, providing multiple opportunities for neighbors, families, and park users to participate. 

Community members were invited to review design concepts, ask questions, and share their ideas about how Poet's Park can best serve the community in the future. It was wonderful to see residents stopping by throughout both events, exploring the concepts, and providing thoughtful feedback. 

PHOTO: Community members review and discuss proposed improvements during a Poet's Park outreach event 

Gather your friends, family, coworkers, or community group and join one of Santa Cruz's most beloved waterfront traditions on Saturday, September 19 at the Santa Cruz Wharf. 

No experience? No problem! Designed for beginners and novice paddlers, each team receives a canoe, paddles, life jackets, instruction, and experienced crew support. Just bring your team spirit and your aloha spirit! 

Early Bird registration: $120 per team through August 16 

• Men's, Women's & Co-Ed divisions
• Live hula performances
• Aloha Spirit Award
• Four event T-shirts per team 

Don't have a full team? Join the Free Agent List and we'll help match you with other paddlers. 

Spots are limited and fill on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up today! 

Registration: Search for activity #419602 through the City's recreation registration system. 

Join the Santa Cruz Police Department for free coffee and conversation at Java Junction off Seabright Ave on July 30th, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.! 

What is Coffee with a Cop? 

Coffee with a Cop is a community policing event where residents meet local law enforcement officers who cover traffic, property, and investigations in an informal setting to have conversations over coffee. 

The academy gives participants a look inside the Department's day-to-day operations. This is a 13-week program from Aug. 20 -Nov. 12, with sessions on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. and one Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

Community members learn about SCPD and local policing, firearms training, gang awareness, patrol functions, K-9 functions, criminal investigations, narcotics, dispatch, traffic law, and more! 

Apply today: www.santacruzca.gov/CitizensPoliceAcademy 

Applications are due by July 24, 2026 

In December 2023 and early January 2024, high wave and storm events eroded a section of the multi-use pathway at approximately 800 West Cliff Drive. Damages from high waves at this site, other West Cliff locations, and locations statewide resulted in a State Disaster Declaration (CDAA 2024-01). Temporary safety barricades and fencing have been in place ever since. With the goal of future roadway resilience, Public Works staff have been working with engineering and permitting consultants for the past year on a roadway realignment design at the site that will shift a segment of roadway and multiuse pathway out of modeled 100-year and 50-year erosion zones, respectively. In recent months, Public Works staff have been working towards finalizing milestone environmental documents for this project such as the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). 

As part of the project CEQA compliance process, the City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department has posted the IS/MND document for a 30-day public review period from July 2nd to July 31st in preparation for final adoption in the late summer/early fall.