Santa Cruz County Seeks Landlords To House CZU Fire Victims

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County is calling on property owners and managers to help victims of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires with their medium- to long-term housing needs.

More than 100 households still need permanent housing, including couples with children, couples and singles, the county said in a news release. Some 925 homes were destroyed in the blaze, according to Cal Fire.

The county asks that landlords be flexible on criteria such as pets and credit scores.

Many of those who remain without housing have received rental assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which covers up to 150 percent of fair market rents for up to 18 months after the fire, and can be used as far as 50 miles from the county. Many of those displaced are long-term residents who wish to remain near their original neighborhood, according to the county.

Santa Cruz County can verify which residents were displaced and provide information about rental assistance programs.

Anyone interested in housing those affected by the fires can fill out this survey.