About Stepping Out Housing
Stepping Out Housing is a HUD-assisted rental property in Santa Cruz, California. According to HUD's Multifamily Properties (Assisted) dataset, the building has 18 total units, of which 18 receive federal rental assistance under Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance and Section 202 / 811 Supportive Housing. That means the resident's share of rent is generally limited to roughly 30% of adjusted household income, with HUD covering the remainder of the contract rent paid to the owner.
A significant share of residents — about 91% — are people with disabilities, suggesting this property is structured around accessibility and supportive services.
If you'd like to apply, contact the property's management office below. Project-based Section 8 waiting lists are managed by the property, not by your local public housing authority — you must apply to each building separately.
Unit mix
| Bedrooms | Units |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | 16 |
| 2 Bedroom | 2 |
How to apply
Project-based Section 8 properties keep their own waiting lists. To apply to Stepping Out Housing:
- Call the management office at the number above (or use the contact below) and ask whether the waiting list is open.
- Request an application packet. Most properties will mail or email it; some require you to pick it up in person.
- Have your documents ready: photo ID, Social Security cards or numbers for every household member, birth certificates for minors, the last 2–3 months of pay stubs or benefit award letters, and prior addresses for the last 5 years.
- Return the application as instructed. Keep a copy for your records and write down the date you submitted it.
- Update your contact information any time you move or change phone numbers — properties remove applicants who can't be reached.
For a complete document checklist, see how to apply. To check whether you meet the income limits, see eligibility.
Contact & details
- Address
- 740 Plymouth ST, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
- County
- Santa Cruz
- On-site phone
- (831) 462-7176
- Management agent
- Encompass Community Services
- Management contact
- Donna Dipietro
- Management phone
- (831) 469-1700 x 1021
- Management email
- donna.dipietro@EncompassCS.org
- HUD servicing site
- San Francisco (San Francisco Hub)
- HUD property ID
- 800002506
Other HUD-assisted properties in Santa Cruz
If Stepping Out Housing's waiting list is closed or doesn't fit your household, applying to several nearby buildings in parallel is the fastest way to get housed. These are the largest other assisted properties in Santa Cruz:
- Elizabeth Oaks Apts. — 126 units, 1460 JOSE AVE
- La Posada — 122 units, 609 FREDERICK ST
- Garfield Park Village — 84 units, 721 BAY ST
- Seaside Apartments — 84 units, 1380 30TH AVE
- San Lorenzo Park Apts — 77 units, 134 DAKOTA AVE.
- East Cliff Village Apartments — 75 units, 1635 TREMONT DR
See every HUD-assisted property in Santa Cruz →
Source: HUD Multifamily Properties — Assisted dataset (HUD GIS Open Data). Property records change over time; verify all details directly with the management office before relying on them.