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    From having conversations with your neighbors to donating to volunteering,
    there are many ways to help resolve homelessness together.

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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

    Housing as healthcare: A prescription for change

    A future in which doctors prescribe housing as a treatment for chronic homelessness may be difficult for some to imagine. But as more communities —
    Dignity Health Awards $1M to Housing Matters to Build Permanent Supportive Housing

    Dignity Health and Housing Matters recently announced that Dignity Health is awarding a $1M Homeless Health Initiative grant to Housing Matters to build Harvey West Studios, 120 units of affordable housing for those with a history of chronic homelessness.
    Cecilia, Board President
    Leading with heart

    Housing Matters Board President Cecilia Espinola shares her perspective on the past fiscal year in our 2021 Annual Report.
    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 is 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
    1 day ago
    Housing Matters

    Today is the day, folks! Join us this evening from 4-8pm at 138 Fern Street for the Shanty Shack Give Back! For each beer sold, Shanty Shack Brewing will donate $1 to Housing Matters programs. And don't forget about our awesome raffle prizes, only available at this event.

    Swing by and enjoy a beer for a great cause at the Shanty Shack Give Back!     ... See MoreSee Less

    Today is the day, folks! Join us this evening from 4-8pm at 138 Fern Street for the Shanty Shack Give Back! For each beer sold, Shanty Shack Brewing will donate $1 to Housing Matters programs. And dont forget about our awesome raffle prizes, only available at this event. Swing by and enjoy a beer for a great cause at the Shanty Shack Give Back!
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    As Housing First is now seen as a failure and the HMIS Coordinated Entry system has been scrapped, Housing Matters really needs get you drunk. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHYoKvn9MuM&t=31s

    Housing Matters
    6 days ago
    Housing Matters

    Don't forget folks, we're less than a week away from the Shanty Shack Give Back, a fun and fulfilling way to make an impact in resolving homelessness in Santa Cruz County.

    On Thursday, June 30th from 4-8pm, Shanty Shack will donate $1 to Housing Matters for every beer sold. And that's not all! We have an awesome raffle lined up, with prizes you can only win at the event. So mark you calendars and we'll see you soon!     ... See MoreSee Less

    Dont forget folks, were less than a week away from the Shanty Shack Give Back, a fun and fulfilling way to make an impact in resolving homelessness in Santa Cruz County. On Thursday, June 30th from 4-8pm, Shanty Shack will donate $1 to Housing Matters for every beer sold. And thats not all! We have an awesome raffle lined up, with prizes you can only win at the event. So mark you calendars and well see you soon!
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    Housing Matters
    1 week ago
    Housing Matters

    A few months ago, a young man named Asher reached out to Housing Matters about his big fourth-grade project, the Invention Convention Worldwide.

    Now, the Invention Convention is no small task. Students are required to design, coordinate, and implement an invention to meet the needs of our community.

    Asher’s big idea was to create a vending machine that dispenses essential goods and healthy snacks to people experiencing homelessness. When he reached out to Housing Matters, we were thrilled to help.

    We worked out all the important details with him, like beneficial locations for the machine and what items would be useful to stock in the machine. Every step of the way, Asher wanted to make sure his invention would be a truly useful tool for community members experiencing homelessness.

    Not only did we love his project, but so did the Invention Convention Committee. We just found out Asher’s vending machine made it to Nationals! We’re so proud of his tenacity and his big heart. Congrats, Asher, and good luck at Nationals!     ... See MoreSee Less

    A few months ago, a young man named Asher reached out to Housing Matters about his big fourth-grade project, the Invention Convention Worldwide. Now, the Invention Convention is no small task. Students are required to design, coordinate, and implement an invention to meet the needs of our community. Asher’s big idea was to create a vending machine that dispenses essential goods and healthy snacks to people experiencing homelessness. When he reached out to Housing Matters, we were thrilled to help. We worked out all the important details with him, like beneficial locations for the machine and what items would be useful to stock in the machine. Every step of the way, Asher wanted to make sure his invention would be a truly useful tool for community members experiencing homelessness. Not only did we love his project, but so did the Invention Convention Committee. We just found out Asher’s vending machine made it to Nationals! We’re so proud of his tenacity and his big heart. Congrats, Asher, and good luck at Nationals!
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