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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

    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
    3 weeks ago
    Housing Matters

    May is #AffordableHousingMonth in Northern California! Through bold policy change, empowered advocacy, and creative collaboration, we can create safe and dignified, affordable housing solutions for all. When we work together and care for our neighbors, our entire community thrives.

    This year, the spotlight is on YOU. We want you to become a Pro-Housing Advocate in our community. Check out the incredible events curated by Housing Santa Cruz County (link below) to educate yourself on the issues. And comment down below why affordable housing is important to you! Stay tuned for more ways to show your support throughout the month.

    www.housingsantacruzcounty.com/affordable-housing-month

    #HousingForAll #AffordableHousing #advocacymatters #HousingMatters     ... See MoreSee Less

    May is #AffordableHousingMonth in Northern California! Through bold policy change, empowered advocacy, and creative collaboration, we can create safe and dignified, affordable housing solutions for all. When we work together and care for our neighbors, our entire community thrives. This year, the spotlight is on YOU. We want you to become a Pro-Housing Advocate in our community. Check out the incredible events curated by Housing Santa Cruz County (link below) to educate yourself on the issues. And comment down below why affordable housing is important to you! Stay tuned for more ways to show your support throughout the month. https://www.housingsantacruzcounty.com/affordable-housing-month #HousingForAll #AffordableHousing #advocacymatters #HousingMatters
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    Housing Matters
    4 weeks ago
    Housing Matters

    Grab your dancing shoes, the Good Neighbor Social is only a few weeks away!

    Our event will feature great music from Coffee Zombie Collective, food trucks, beer, wine, dessert and more. You won't want to miss out!

    Tickets available online—link below!

    www.eventbrite.com/e/319072964827     ... See MoreSee Less

    Grab your dancing shoes, the Good Neighbor Social is only a few weeks away! Our event will feature great music from Coffee Zombie Collective, food trucks, beer, wine, dessert and more. You wont want to miss out! Tickets available online—link below! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/319072964827
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    Housing Matters
    4 weeks ago
    Housing Matters

    Santa Cruz is a Built for Zero community— Which means we are one of 98 communities working together to resolve homelessness by achieving a functional zero for different populations experiencing homelessness.

    But what does it mean for a community to reach functional zero? We're glad you asked!

    Functional zero is a definition for ending homelessness for a population.

    So, when Fremont County, CO ended homelessness for veterans, they reached the functional zero for their community. This means there are never more veterans entering homelessness per month than can quickly exit it.

    Functional zero doesn't mean zero homelessness. It means identifying a realistic framework to quickly house and support people before they experience homeless chronically.

    In the upcoming weeks, we're sharing strategies, best practices, and inspiring examples from the 2021 Impact Report. Click the below to get a head start on the learning today!

    community.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2021-Impact-and-Learning-Report-Community-Solution...

    #homelessness #santacruzcounty #housing #SantaCruzHousing #BuiltForZero #CommunitySolutions #community     ... See MoreSee Less

    Santa Cruz is a Built for Zero community— Which means we are one of 98 communities working together to resolve homelessness by achieving a functional zero for different populations experiencing homelessness. But what does it mean for a community to reach functional zero? Were glad you asked! Functional zero is a definition for ending homelessness for a population. So, when Fremont County, CO ended homelessness for veterans, they reached the functional zero for their community. This means there are never more veterans entering homelessness per month than can quickly exit it. Functional zero doesnt mean zero homelessness. It means identifying a realistic framework to quickly house and support people before they experience homeless chronically. In the upcoming weeks, were sharing strategies, best practices, and inspiring examples from the 2021 Impact Report. Click the below to get a head start on the learning today! https://community.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/2021-Impact-and-Learning-Report-Community-Solutions.pdf #homelessness #santacruzcounty #housing #santacruzhousing #builtforzero #communitysolutions #community
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