The County of Santa Cruz ADU Incentives Program Application

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The County of Santa Cruz

Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program

Application Form

Thank you for your interest in applying to the County of Santa Cruz’s Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentives Program, a new ADU technical assistance program supported by Hello Housing and sponsored by the County of Santa Cruz (the “Program”). Please note, the information you submit on this application will be used to determine whether you meet the basic eligibility criteria to participate in the Program. It will also help us learn about your potential ADU or JADU project, unique site conditions, and where you are in your readiness to move your project forward. The application consists of seven sections and should take you about 15-20 minutes to complete. We really appreciate your time and willingness to share more about yourself and the goals for your ADU project.

All applications received will be placed on our active waitlist in the order received. We will reach out to waitlist households as funding permits.

Please complete all pages of this application. Incomplete applications may be deemed ineligible.

If you have questions or need assistance completing this application, please email us at: helloadu@hellohousing.org.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with you!

Sincerely,

The HelloADU team

Section I. General Information

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone

Street

City

State

Zip Code

Number of people in the household?

Hello Housing believes that fair and equal access to housing opportunities and programs is critical to supporting diverse communities where people thrive. To know how we are doing, we need to collect demographic information of our applicants. And, we need to collect this information in a way that can be compared with other publicly-available information. The format and choices of the following questions mirror how these questions are asked by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Please be assured that this information is only used in the aggregate and is not used in any way to determine your household’s eligibility for any program offering. By providing this information, you are helping us better understand the reach and impact of our programs in the communities we serve, which in turn leads to more effective housing solutions.

Applicant Demographics

Please enter information about the primary applicant below.

Gender

Is this person under 18 years of age?

YesNo

Employment Status

Marital Status

Education

Are you a Veteran

YesNo

Race (Check all that apply)

American Indian or Alaska NativeBlack or African AmericanMiddle Eastern or North AfricanWhiteAsian-FilipinoAsian -JapaneseAsian -KoreanAsian - VietnameseAsian -Other AsianNative Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - Native HawaiianNative Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - SamoanNative Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - ChamorroNative Hawaiian or Pacific Islander - TonganLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - Mexican/Chicano/ChicanaLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - SalvadoranLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - GuatemalanLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - Puerto RicanLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - CubanLatino/Latina/Latinx or Hispanic - Other Latinx/HispanicOther than aboveI understand the reason for asking and I still choose not to respond

Are there additional members in your household?

YesNo

Household Member Demographics

Please enter information about any additional household members below.

First Name

Last Name

Gender

Is this person under 18 years of age?

YesNo

Employment Status

Marital Status

Education

Are you a Veteran

YesNo

Race (Check all that apply)

Section II. Basic Eligibility

1. The County's ADU incentives Program is currently only available in the Unincorporated Areas of Santa Cruz County. Do you currently own a home in the Unincorporated Area?

YesNo

2. The County's ADU incentives Program is only available to homeowners who own a home in a residentially zoned area (R1,RM, RR, RA, RB) that can accommodate an ADU or a Junior ADU (JADU). Do you own a home in a residentially zoned area?

YesNo

3. The County's ADU Incentives Program is only available to homeowners who own and occupy the main home as their primary residence where they are adding a new unit to. Do you own and occupy the home where you are developing an ADU/JADU?

YesNo

4. Participants selected to receive free project management support through the program must be willing to rent the new ADU or JADU for a period of no less than 3 years. Units can be rented to a family member, a friend, or a community member as long as there is a bona fide lease in place. Alternatively, applicants can move into the new unit and rent out the main home.

Are you comfortable with the above requirements as a condition of participation?

YesNo

5. Participants selected to receive free project management support through the Program must meet one of the following three eligibility options below. Please indicate which options best fits your circumstances: Santa Cruz County Income 2024

I am a homeowner who qualifies as a Moderate-Income household based on the current County Income Limits in the chart above.I am a homeowner whose income is greater than a Moderate-Income household, but who agrees to rent the ADU/JADU during the three-year compliance period at an affordable price. Rent limits are based on 100% of Area Median Income for Santa Cruz County. As an example, the current rent limits are as follows: Studio: $2,300, One-bedroom: $2,700, Two-bedroom: $3,000.I am a homeowner who is building an ADU/JADU for occupancy by an adult with developmental disabilities or other permanently disabled dependent.

6. Participation in the Program will require that you have a plan in place to pay for the design and construction of your new unit. Do you have a plan in place to pay for your new unit?

YesNo

If yes, how do you anticipate paying for the second unit based on what you know today? (please check all that may apply).

With cash/personal savingsHome equity loanHome equity line of creditRefinance of the main homeBorrow from retirement account (401K, Pension, IRA, etc)Loan from family or friendsGift from family or friendsOther

If "Other", please provide additional information:

Section III. Informational Survey Questions

Please complete each question below to the best of your ability. Answers to these questions will help Hello Housing learn more about your project and your goals.

Units may be rented to a family member or a friend as long as there is a bona fide lease. Alternatively, participants can choose to move into the new second unit and rent the main home for this same minimum period.

1. Please indicate your short-term intended plan for meeting the rental requirements.

I plan to rent to a family memberI plan to rent to a friend of the familyI plan to rent to the open market.I am not sure at this time who I plan to rent the unit to, but I am willing to meet the minimum requirements as noted above.

2. Long-term (after 3-years) what is your intended use of an additional unit on your property.

I want to house a family member, like a parent, child, or siblingI want an ADU/JADU to downsize to as I age in placeI want to have space for a caregiverI am primarily interested in a second unit as an investment and wealth building opportunityI want to house community members pressured by high housing costs, like teachers, at affordable rentsNone of the aboveOther?

If "Other", please provide additional information:

3. With what you know today, please check the box of the type(s) of secondary unit you are interested in adding to your property. (please check all that may apply)

Detached, free-standing cottage in the backyardAttached, new addition to the main homeConversion of an existing space within the home resulting in a separate entry to the unit, an efficiency kitchen and access to a bathroomConversion of a garage attached to the main homeConversion of a garage that is detached from the main homeBasement ConversionLegalize an existing unitOther

If "Other", please provide additional information:

4. What is the estimated size of the second unit desired?

Studio ~250-450 sq. ft.One Bedroom ~450-750 sq. ft.Two Bedrooms ~750+ sq. ft.
I am not sure at this time

5. What is your approximate annual household income? (Please include the combined income of adults in your household)

6. Based on what you know today, how much are you prepared to spend to add a new unit?

Less than $75,000$100,000 to $200,000$200,000 to $300,000$300,000 to $400,000$400,000 to $500,000$600,000+

7. Have you consulted with a lender?

YesNo

If so, please indicate which lending institution(s) you have spoken with.

Section IV. Participant Readiness

8. Have you ever met with a professional (General Contractor, Architect, City/County staff) about your project before?

YesNo

If yes, what may have prevented you from moving forward with your project?

9. How far into the development process are you with your second unit project? (Please check all that may apply)

Haven't begunStarted talking with lendersStarted looking at designsHired a designerPlans drawn but no yet submitted for reviewDesign is currently being reviewed by the CityBidding out the project to general contractorsHired a General ContractorAbout to start construction

10. What has prevented you from moving your project forward?

Not sure where to startNot sure how to find good professionals to work withI have started the process, but am not sure how to move forwardI am not sure if the project is feasible due to site conditions (slope, septic system, available space etc.)I am not sure if I can afford the project based on what I have learned thus farOther?

If you answered "Other" please explain your situation.

11. Do you believe that with the right professional support, you are ready to move your project forward in the coming months?

YesNoI am not sure

Section V. Site Conditions

Conditions at the home can impact the costs and the type of new unit you hope to build. Please answer each question below to the best of your ability to help us better understand what some of these conditions might be so that we can help you to plan accordingly.

12. Do you know of any un-permitted work completed on your home that may need to be addressed?

YesNoI am unsure

If yes, please describe.

13. Are there any open code violations on your property?

YesNoI am not sure

If yes, please describe

14. Is your property located in a FEMA-designated flood zone (100-year floodplain)?

Yes, my home is located in a flood zoneNo, my home is not located in a flood zoneI am not sure

15. Is your property located in the Coastal Zone?

Yes, my home is located in the Coastal Zone.No, my home is not located in the Coastal ZoneI am not sure

16. Is your lot generally flat, modestly sloped in one direction, or on a steep hillside or cliff?

If "Other", please provide additional information:

17. Will the location of your new unit require the removal of large trees or rocks?

YesNoI am unsure

If yes, please describe.

18. Will the location of your new unit require the removal of any man-made structures (shed, detached garage, etc...)?

YesNoI'm not sure

If yes, please describe.

19. Is your property within 100 ft of a waterbody (creek, bay, wetland, or reservoir)?

YesNoI am not sure

20. Do you have a septic system on your property?

YesNo

If yes, do you know the approximate age of the system?

21. Do you know if there is a permit record on the existing septic system?

YesNoI'm not sure

22. Is there specific information or educational material that you are most interested in learning about as it pertains to your project?

Section VI. Program Disclosure Form

Santa Cruz County's ADU Incentives Program

As part of my application, I have read and agree to the following terms of the Program. I certify that the statements included herein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. (Please check each box as an indication that you have read and affirm each statement.)

I own the property where I want to add an ADU/JADU unit to.

I understand that the Program is for the purpose of building additional housing and therefore I agree that the new unit will house a friend, a family member, or a community member during a 3-year compliance period who will enter into a lease agreement when the unit is ready.

I understand that if I am selected to participate in the Program, I must meet one of the following three eligibility options: A). A homeowner whose household qualifies as a Moderate-Income household based on the County's Income Limits, B.) A homeowner who earns greater than a Moderate-Income household and therefore will rent the unit at an affordable rent within the Program limits during the 3-year compliance period, or C). A homeowner who is building the ADU/JADU for occupancy by an adult with developmental disabilities or other permanently disabled dependent.

I understand that the new unit must receive all necessary government approvals and that un-permitted dwellings are not eligible under the Program.

I understand that I must work with 3rd Party Professionals who are not family members (i.e. it must be an "Arm's Length Transaction") and that contractors working on the project shall be licensed and insured.

I understand that a requirement for participation in the Program is financial capacity to afford the cost associated with designing and constructing my new unit. I further understand that I must have a plan in place to pay for the unit as a condition of participation and that the Program will not provide financial assistance to support the cost of design and construction of an ADU/JADU on my property, apart from the no-cost services provided by Hello Housing under the Program. I understand and acknowledge that I a wholly responsible for any cost incurred in connection with my ADU/JADU project.

I understand that my participation in the program is subject to certain eligibility criteria and that I will be asked to provide documentation supporting the eligibility criteria that I have selected within the application that best represents my circumstances.

I understand that an important aspect of this Program is evaluating what worked well for homeowners and what aspects could be improved. I agree to participate in evaluation activities, such as completing written and verbal surveys.

I understand that as part of the application process, I may be contacted to schedule a follow-up phone interview and/or site visit during business hours. Once an appointment is scheduled based on my stated availability, I agree to give 24 hours' notice to cancel a phone interview and 48 hours' notice to cancel a site visit. I understand that if I cancel two of these scheduled appointments, the Program will move on to other applicants on the waitlist.

I will make a concerted effort to include all household decision-makers in my household in any initial site visit with Hello Housing and in all decisions that need to be made regarding our new unit and the Program.

I understand that developing the proposed new unit on my property may not be feasible for a variety of reasons. I also understand that the purpose of site visits by Hello Housing and other contractors and consultants is to assist me in evaluating my conditions related to my property, the proposed new unit, and the Program.

I understand that my participation in the Program may be subject to a lottery process.

I understand that my participation in the Program is voluntary.

I understand that my selection for and participation in the Program is subject to the discretion of Hello Housing.

I acknowledge I have read the following non-discrimination statement: Hello Housing, the County Santa Cruz do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, source of income, genetic information, medical condition, physical disability or mental disability, or any other category protected by law.

How did you hear about us?

If "Other", please provide additional information:

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Yes please! By checking this box, you agree to receive periodic emails from Hello Housing and our trusted partner, the Second Unit Resources Center, with resources and announcements related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Junior ADUs and lot splits. You may unsubscribe at any time.Not at this time.

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