Housing

Welcome

Welcome to the City of Scotts Valley "Housing" page. Developing and carrying-out the City’s / Redevelopment Agency’s housing policies and goals is one of the responsibilities of the Planning Department.

Affordable Housing Programs

The City offers programs to help eligible residents obtain or maintain safe and decent housing located within the City limits. The programs are First Time Homebuyer/Silent Second Mortgage, Security Deposit, Mortgage Credit Certificates, and Density Bonus. These programs are funded the Redevelopment Agency’s housing funds. 

HouseKeys - Affordable Housing Administrator

HouseKeys (https://www.housekeys.org/) is the administrator for the City's Below Market Rate Housing Program. They can be reached at 1-877-460-5397 (KEYS) or customerservice@housekeys.org.

If you are inquiring about a home for sale or want to be on the Applicant List for a future home, please click here (https://www.myhousekeys.com/) to create your MyHouseKeys Account and "Request an Application ID" in the Program Center. You can also find more information on the program website at Scotts Valley Affordable Housing Program (http://www.housekeys15.com/). 

If you are an existing homeowner, please start inquiries (e.g., refinances, resales, etc.) by completing a Service Request Ticket accessible by clicking here and one of the HouseKeys team members will contact you regarding next steps. 

Note: Every Friday at 12pm, HouseKeys holds a live Q&A Session on Housing Programs

Types of Affordable Housing

For Sale Units and Rental Units (Inclusionary Units): When the City approves private developments of 7 or more housing units, the developer must build 15% of affordable housing units on or off the project site. This type of required housing is called inclusionary units, which have restricted equity accrual, resale price, rental price and other limitations. 

Qualifying for Affordable Housing

Before contacting a developer or apartment manager about available housing, see where you are in the income limits and City’s preference criteria.

City’s Preference Criteria

The City has adopted a system to make sure that affordable housing is given to residents living and working in the City limits, as a priority. See where you qualify in the Affordable Housing Action Plan brochure.

Housing Element

The Housing Element is one of eight chapters in the City’s General Plan, which gives a general direction of how the City would like to grow and provide services to residents and businesses. The Housing Element lists the City’s housing policies and goals. Every eight years, the state requires cities and counties to update their Housing Elements. In 2015, the City is updating the Housing Element.

Second Dwelling Units & Guesthouses

To promote other types of housing, secondary dwelling units ("granny units") and guesthouses can be built on lots that are zoned for single-family residential (e.g. R-1-10 through R-MT-5). Secondary Dwelling Units are limited to 800 square feet and have a kitchen, while guesthouses can be 600 square feet and do not have a kitchen. Both of these units require a building permit from the City. For the requirements, please see Chapter 17.41 of the City’s Municipal Code.