Santa Cruz County asks landlords for help housing fire survivors

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Santa Cruz County officials are asking for help as they work to find housing for survivors of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires.

They are asking for the help of property owners and managers as they try to find medium- and long-term housing.

More than 100 households are still searching for permanent housing situations after the fires, and many received FEMA Rental Assistance. That can pay up to 150% of fair market rents for a period of up to 18 months after the fire, according to county officials. The assistance can be used up to 50 miles from Santa Cruz County.

Some of the households include singles, couples and families with children, and officials said many are long-term Santa Cruz County residents hoping to remain in the area and close to their communities.

Landlords willing to accept fire survivors will be provided verification that the household was displaced by the fires by the county. They will also be offered information about FEMA Rental Assistance or other programs. The survivors will continue to have access to case management and other support services. The county said flexibility on pets, credit scores and other screening criteria is particularly helpful.

Those interested in helping to house survivors can fill out a survey here.