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    latest news

    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…
    $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…
    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…
    Well, this is awkward…

    If you’ve driven north on Highway 1 recently, you’ve probably slowed a little as you crossed River Street and saw a large homeless encampment sprawling

    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
    4 days ago
    Housing Matters

    This week’s Community Spotlight is Ellen Davidson, a Case Manager for our CalWorks Housing Assistance and Move-in Program (CHAMP), here at Housing Matters.

    Ellen brings unwavering passion and enthusiasm to her work and motivates everyone around her to do the same. We truly couldn’t do this work without her.

    We recently asked Ellen why she does this work. Her response, below, says it all.

    “Placing the families in CHAMP in stable housing means giving children a place to call home. I believe in giving back to the community, paying forward to those who are in need. Working with dedicated staff at Housing Matters gives me inspiration and working with the CHAMP team gives me more determination. Making small changes one by one has a domino effect.

    I am active in my native community as well. This is a photo of me in my native regalia, attending yearly Stanford Pow Wow and ready to dance in the sacred circle. I am a culture carrier and considered a resource for my native community.”

    Thank you, Ellen, for all that you do. 💙     ... See MoreSee Less

    This week’s Community Spotlight is Ellen Davidson, a Case Manager for our CalWorks Housing Assistance and Move-in Program (CHAMP), here at Housing Matters. Ellen brings unwavering passion and enthusiasm to her work and motivates everyone around her to do the same. We truly couldn’t do this work without her. We recently asked Ellen why she does this work. Her response, below, says it all. “Placing the families in CHAMP in stable housing means giving children a place to call home. I believe in giving back to the community, paying forward to those who are in need. Working with dedicated staff at Housing Matters gives me inspiration and working with the CHAMP team gives me more determination. Making small changes one by one has a domino effect. I am active in my native community as well. This is a photo of me in my native regalia, attending yearly Stanford Pow Wow and ready to dance in the sacred circle. I am a culture carrier and considered a resource for my native community.” Thank you, Ellen, for all that you do. 💙Image attachment
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