Freedom to Move, Freedom to Be: How Housing Choices Helped One Watsonville Family Find Stability at Cienega Heights

For their whole life, Bianka Carrillo and her three children lived together in a single bedroom in her mother’s home in Watsonville. It was crowded and chaotic—especially because her two sons have autism. But it was all she could afford, and she made it work for as long as she could.

“Yeah, it was tough,” Bianka said. “All four of us in one bedroom.”

With no privacy, no room for her boys to move in a way that helps with sensory regulation or stim freely, and no space for her daughter to call her own, Bianka longed for something more for her kids. She loved to cook and bake but rarely felt comfortable doing so in a shared kitchen with her mom being particular and watching over. The lack of space affected their daily lives—from sleep to play to simply finding calm.

That all changed in November 2025, when Bianka and her kids moved into Cienega Heights, a new affordable housing development in Watsonville with the help from Housing Choices.

It was the first time Bianka had ever lived independently with her children. The unit had three bedrooms, a living room, and a dining area. Bianka divided the rooms so that her sons could share one room, she and her daughter had another, and the third bedroom became a dedicated playroom and calming space for the boys.

But the move nearly didn’t happen. The apartment required a $1,000 security deposit—an amount Bianka couldn’t afford on her own.

That’s when Housing Choices stepped in with critical support.

Through the Coastal Grant, a fund powered by generous donor contributions and designed to support families across Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties, Housing Choices provided Bianka a $750 grant that made it possible to secure her new home.

“They told us that they gave us a certain amount of time to give the deposit,” Bianka explained. “Otherwise, they were going to move on to the next application because they had so many. So, like, the timing was just perfect. That $750 was a huge help. They would not let us enter here without giving a deposit.”

A New Start—With Support

Bianka worked closely with America, her Housing Coordinator at Housing Choices, throughout the entire process.

“She was great,” Bianka said. “She always checked up on me and made sure I knew about every program available to me. It was actually fun working with her.”

That sense of support went beyond professionalism—Bianka felt truly cared for.

“I’ve never really had that before,” she said. “It kind of felt like she was my friend.”

For America, the feeling was mutual.

“Working with Bianka was truly inspiring,” she said. “She is incredibly resilient, even while navigating so many challenges for herself and her kids. Helping her secure the security deposit through the Coastal Grant wasn’t just about financial support—it was a meaningful step toward long-term stability for her family.”

Adjusting to Change—and Thriving

Moving to Cienega Heights wasn’t easy at first. Like many children with autism, Bianka’s sons struggled with the transition.

“It was a little tough on the kids just because it’s a new space,” Bianka said. “But it didn’t take long for them to adjust—and it’s been great having our own space.”

The difference was immediate. “I’ve noticed a change in their attitude,” she shared. “Before, it was always a fight to go to the bedroom. Now, they have more peace of mind.”

With more room to move, her boys can jump, stim, and play freely—no longer confined to one small room. “Being high energy, not being able to sit still—it’s all part of autism,” Bianka explained. “This new space gives them room to let it all out.”

Even their teachers have noticed a positive shift. “They’ve told me both boys are doing much better with change—which was always a big challenge,” Bianka beamed. “It’s awesome, because having one child with autism is tough—and I have two. Any positive change is a big win.”

She remembers the early days of the move, when her sons were anxious and uncertain. During the transition, when they stayed at Cienega Heights for a few nights, they were hesitant about going to the new place—but that phase didn’t last long.

“They’ve accepted the change—for the better.” She smiled, adding, “I think they realized, like, ‘Hey, we can go from here to here, and no one says anything! There’s snacks!’”

Now, Bianka and her children are thriving. For the first time, she has a home of her own—one where her kids feel safe, and she can enjoy cooking again.

“I can finally cook and bake,” she said. “We have space to eat together. It just feels good.”

For Housing Coordinator America and the team at Housing Choices, Bianka’s journey is a reminder of why this work matters.

“Affordable housing is essential for individuals with IDD and their families,” America said. “But navigating the system can be overwhelming—especially with complex care needs. Housing coordination helps make it more accessible.”

And donor-backed support, like the Coastal Grant that helped Bianka cover her deposit, makes all the difference.

“This wasn’t just about helping a family find housing,” America said. “It was about helping them find hope and stability.”

Bianka’s story is just one of many. Across our region, families raising multiple children with autism are struggling to find stable, affordable housing. The Coastal Grant made this home possible for Bianka—and that grant exists because of people like you.

Your support brings real change.