A new pilot program helps Santa Cruz seniors on the verge of eviction

It’s only a foundation now, but soon an accessory dwelling will be Barbara Whitley’s new home. It’s being built in her parent’s backyard, so she can be close by if they need her.

“My parents are getting older,” said Whitley. “My mom’s 81, my dad’s 84. “I thought it was a good time for me to think about taking care of them because they are getting older.”

The additional unit is being built by Habitat for Humanity, which partnered with the City of Santa Cruz and Senior Network Services on a pilot program called My House My Home. It helps seniors by building smaller living places in their backyards that they can move into, while they rent out their main house.

“The idea is to partner with low income senior home owners who are at risk of losing their home because they can’t make their mortgage payments,” said David Foster, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay. “Or simply because they need some assistance in order to age in place and remain living in their home.”

Homeowners also have the option of renting out the accessory dwelling to individuals and families who are low income.

“We like to say feeding two birds with one scone,” said Foster. “That’s where we both are helping a family stay in their home and we’re also creating new affordable rental opportunities.”

Project officials said more than 300 seniors in Santa Cruz have been identified as at risk for losing their home because after they retire their incomes are more fixed and limited. The Senior Network Services told KION they’re constantly flooded with seniors facing evictions because their landlord has raised rent to prices they can’t afford and the waiting list for subsidized housing is long and closed.

“They call this the silver tsunami, which is the aging baby boomer population,” said Foster. “As they get older, there’s more and more need for housing that’s going to accommodate seniors.”

Project officials said the My House My Home program not only helps to financially stabilize seniors but it also helps to keep them in the community where they have relationships and ties.

“Oh my mom’s just ecstatic,” said Whitley. “She’s got a list for me to do. My dad’s happy because I get to help her out and he will get some time alone.”