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    Interested in learning about what we’re up to, and about the complex issue that is homelessness? Check out our resources, links, and events.

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    latest news

    Leading with heart

      Housing Matters Board President Cecilia Espinola shares her perspective on the past fiscal year in our 2021 Annual Report. It has been a year
    Thanks to you, we raised $9.3M to build Harvey West Studios

    We did it! Thanks to our donors’ generous support, we raised $9.3 Million through our Building with Purpose campaign to build permanent supportive housing right
    Jennifer’s story of resilience and hope

    Jennifer came to the Rebele Family Shelter (RFS) after many years of experiencing homelessness. As a mother of three, Jennifer was seeking stability for both
    Introducing the Pathways Home Toolkit – A free community resource

    Introducing the Pathways Home Toolkit—a free resource anyone can use to help someone experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County and beyond
    Announcing Our Newest Program: Housing Now

    Housing Matters hiring a specialized team of case managers to house 90 people experiencing homelessness over the next 15 months
    Housing Matters Launches Building with Purpose Campaign

    Housing Matters has announced the Building with Purpose capital campaign and their plan to build 120 units of permanent supportive housing for people experiencing chronic
    Housing Matters’ 2021–2023 Strategic Plan

    After many, many months of intensive, deliberate thought and planning, in March 2021 we finalized our newest three-year Strategic Plan. This Strategic Plan is a living…
    NEWS: Permanent Supportive Housing Project Approved!

    SANTA CRUZ, CA (Nov. 20, 2020) — Santa Cruz city planning commissioners on Thursday night approved a 120-apartment, five-story complex that will house and treat…
    $2.5 Million Awarded to Housing Matters

    Housing Matters, the largest nonprofit in Santa Cruz County working on solutions to homelessness, today announced that it has been selected to receive a $2.5 million grant…
    Well, this is awkward… about those encampments

    Housing Matters is the largest nonprofit in Santa Cruz County working exclusively on the issue of homelessness. We connect unhoused community members with housing. While

    home at last: success stories

    Our clients are some of the most inspiring people we know. Learn about their journeys as they found their pathways to stable housing.

    Nina

    Nina

    When Nina first came to Housing Matters, she thought she had no hope at all. Nina and her 17-year-old daughter were in a difficult situation, living with a boyfriend of Nina who was abusive, to avoid sleeping in their car or on the street with no protection.

    Sherry

    Sherry

    When I first became homeless, I was married to my husband, Darel. He and I did everything together. He had my back when I first lost my housing in the late ’90s and really looked out for me while we were together. We supported each other in every way we could. He struggled with seizures and other health complications, which is hard to handle alone, so I was there for him throughout…

    Mario

    Mario

    Mario’s hope is to find a way to help the agencies that saved his life expand, so more people can access their services. That, and get back to fishing. A third-generation Santa Cruzian, Mario says his favorite things about his hometown are the ocean and the mountains, but mostly the good people…

    More Success Stories

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    Housing Matters
    5 days ago
    Housing Matters

    Our Programs staff work directly with the families and individuals we serve, giving them the support they need to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing.

    Listen to what some of these amazing frontline staff members have to say about resolving homelessness in Santa Cruz, and what gives them hope. Watch more videos in our Community Voices series at: housingmatters-year-end.funraise.org/
    #santacruzcounty #movingsolutionsforward #homelessnessawareness     ... See MoreSee Less

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    Housing Matters
    5 days ago
    Housing Matters

    So far in 2021, we’ve helped permanently house 269 people—including families with children—who were experiencing homelessness. We’ve seen some really good outcomes this year, and we couldn’t do what we do without your support.

    It takes all of us, working together as a community, to end homelessness in Santa Cruz County. Will you join us in moving solutions forward this #GivingTuesday? We've made it super easy to create your own personal fundraiser page in support of Housing Matters at: housingmatters-givingtuesday.funraise.org/

    #santacruzcounty #movingsolutionsforward #housingfirst     ... See MoreSee Less

    So far in 2021, we’ve helped permanently house 269 people—including families with children—who were experiencing homelessness. We’ve seen some really good outcomes this year, and we couldn’t do what we do without your support. It takes all of us, working together as a community, to end homelessness in Santa Cruz County. Will you join us in moving solutions forward this #GivingTuesday? Weve made it super easy to create your own personal fundraiser page in support of Housing Matters at: https://housingmatters-givingtuesday.funraise.org/ #santacruzcounty #movingsolutionsforward #housingfirst
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    Excuse me but how do you even access the shelter? With the triple fences and zero parking , how do you even excess the place ....even the bus stop has been blocked....serious talk...

    Housing Matters
    1 week ago
    Housing Matters

    Meet the nonprofits participating in Santa Cruz Gives IN PERSON this Saturday from 12-4! Join us at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter on 7th Ave/Rodriguez and enjoy live music and local treats while getting to know 30+ of the 80 nonprofits participating in this year’s community fundraising campaign.

    Hosted by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, this event features music from Eva Grace Trio, vegan tamales from #Areperia831, and cannoli from #SantaCruzBreadBoy. The fun starts at noon on November 21st. Bring a friend!

    #santacruzcounty #santacruzgives     ... See MoreSee Less

    Meet the nonprofits participating in Santa Cruz Gives IN PERSON this Saturday from 12-4! Join us at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter on 7th Ave/Rodriguez and enjoy live music and local treats while getting to know 30+ of the 80 nonprofits participating in this year’s community fundraising campaign. Hosted by the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, this event features music from Eva Grace Trio, vegan tamales from #Areperia831, and cannoli from #SantaCruzBreadBoy. The fun starts at noon on November 21st. Bring a friend! #santacruzcounty #santacruzgives
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