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Emergency Housing Providers

Some Bunny Loves Me: Jacob Ikeokwu looks on while Carey Smith relaxes with his children in their studio apartment at Hidden Court, another motel that takes housing vouchers.

Motel vouchers are a mere Band-Aid for some, but can be the bridge to a stable home for others

Compiled by Kelly Luker

If fate and grace has been kind, most people will remain blissfully unaware of the following services that provide emergency vouchers for motel lodging. "There's an inverse relationship," explains Bill Watt of Families in Transition, "the longer you've been homeless, the more you know about these programs." Some are funded by government, some by private groups.

Homeless Assistance Program

Agency: Aid for Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), a component of the Human Resources Agency
Funding: State and federal.
Eligibility: Anyone who is eligible for AFDC and is also homeless; limited to $30 per night for a total of 16 days.
Demand: In 1994, funded a total of 5,833 shelter-nights.

Housing for Medical Emergencies Motel Voucher Program

Agency: The Shelter Project, a component of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County Inc.
Funding: Donations, 50 percent to 60 percent; state, 10 percent; remainder, federal.
Eligibility: For homeless people who are either leaving at least an overnight stay in the hospital, or are contagious and shouldn't be in a shelter, or have HIV or AIDS.
Demand: In 1994, served 476 persons, with a total of 8,118 shelter-nights.

Red Cross Disaster Assistance Services

Agency: American Red Cross
Funding: Private donations
Eligibility: Victims of natural disasters.
Demand: Served 45 individuals last year. Also served 400 cases in mass care housing during the Pajaro floods.

St. Vincent De Paul Assistance Program

Agency: St. Vincent De Paul Society
Funding: Private donations and income generated by the three St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores in Santa Cruz county
Eligibility: Up to the discretion of St. Vincent De Paul volunteers.
Demand: Estimated to have helped about 25 families last year.

Voucher Motels
This is a partial list of motels that have worked with vouchers:

Aladdin's Inn Motor Lodge, 50 Front St., SC.
Blue-Bird Motel, 2-1345 East Cliff Drive, SC.
Blackburn House Motel, 152 Center St., SC.
Drift-In Motel, 110 San Lorenzo Blvd., SC.
El View Lodge Motel, 310 Third St., SC.
Fireside Inn, 311 Second St., SC.
Hidden Court Motel, 111 Barson St., SC.
Hitching Post Motel, 1717 Soquel Drive, SC.
Salt Air Motel, 510 Liebrandt St., SC.
Sleep Tight Motel, 127 Ocean St., SC.
Travelodge Riviera, 619 Riverside St., SC.

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