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Housing

If you are facing housing insecurity and are in need of immediate housing, please contact our Slug Support Team. 

Tenant Sanctuary

Location & Hours: By appointment at Redwood Free Market or virtually via Google Meet

Phone Number: (831) 200-0740

Email: For questions about appointments, contact basicnds@ucsc.edu. For questions related to tenant's rights, contact info@tenantsanctuary.org. 

Tenant Sanctuary is a tenant’s rights education service located in Santa Cruz, California. Through trained tenant counselors and our staff attorney, we help tenants understand what rights they have in a given situation, as well as how to assert them. We also provide free educational events through community partners.

We answer questions about rent increases, eviction repairs and habitability, security deposits, harassment, lease provision, and any issue regarding tenant-landlord disputes.

Schedule an appointment today!

UCSC Community Rentals

Promotes student life by actively participating in education and development and students as responsible renters and members of the local community. 

  • Up to date rental listings and resource information 
  •  Tenant and landlord rental education through an online Renters Workshop
  • Rental forms and resources to students, faculty, staff, and local community constituents.

Dean of Students Off-Campus Legal Consultation Program

The Student Union Assembly, in partnership with the Dean of Students and the UC Legal/ UCSC Office of Campus Counsel, is pleased to provide UCSC students with access to free legal consultation services related to off-campus, non-UCSC housing issues. 

Disability Resource Center: Housing Accommodation Requests

If you have a disability that impacts your ability to live in the standard housing environment, you can request a housing accommodation to modify the existing living environment (e.g. an ADA accessible room, debunked bed, visual fire alarm, etc.).

Santa Cruz Hostel

Phone: (831) 423-8304

  • Youth Hostel with private and shared rooms
  • Cost varies (Reservations can be made for up to 10 days at a time)

River Street Shelter

Phone: (831) 459-6644

  • 32 bed shelter for men and women with free breakfast and dinner included
  • Call to get on the waitlist but you need to call every two days to remain on the list
  • Average stay is 30 days while staff work to connect individuals to stable housing

Housing Authority Security Deposit Program

Phone: (831) 454-9455 (Ext. 321)

  • Financial assistance program for those who have secured a rental but need assistance with security deposit

Santa Cruz Tenants' Organizing Committee

Phone: (831) 471-7842 or  (831) 222-0359

  • Tenants' Rights Hotline where a tenant peer counselor will listen to your situation and walk you through your legal rights offered free of charge

Other Helpful Resources