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    Are you or someone you care about experiencing homelessness?
    Get started on the path to effective services today.

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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

    Homelessness and addiction: Surviving the opioid crisis

    Fentanyl, oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine. These synthetic painkillers, known as opioids, gained notoriety as extremely potent and highly addictive prescription drugs. Now, illicit

    Resolving homelessness: The need for both temporary shelter and affordable housing in Santa Cruz

    There’s no question that more affordable housing is needed to resolve homelessness in Santa Cruz County. But a greater supply of emergency shelter — safe places where people experiencing homelessness can stay temporarily — is also needed.

    Healing Chronic Homelessness

    To live unhoused for any period of time can be harsh and disorienting. But to live without a home, for years on end, is a trauma that is difficult to overcome.

    2022 Homeless Point-in-Time Count

    While an executive summary provided a preview of the data last August, the full report which includes voluntary survey data compiled as part of the federally-mandated census paints a more complete picture of the people experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. 

    180 Together Celebrates A Decade of Collaboration

    At least 1,150 people housed through historic housing program since launch in 2012.

    Data shows fewer vets experiencing homelessness in Santa Cruz County

    By-Name List of veterans reveals just 52 unhoused vets in 2022 compared to 332 in the latest PIT count.

    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 — and healthcare providers — embrace a multifaceted approach to addressing homelessness, that scenario may not seem so far-fetched.

    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.

    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 herself and her children and RFS became just that.

    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 homelessness in Santa Cruz County.

    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.

    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 on the Housing Matters campus.

    $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.

    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…

    Follow Us

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    2 days ago

    We would like to extend a special CONGRATULATIONS to our volunteer Terre Schroeder for winning a 2023 Be the Difference Award! The Be the Difference Award honors those who do the most to transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism 🏆

    Terre is well deserving of this recognition. We so appreciate her dedicated work for our organization. Thank you for all that you do, and congrats, Terre! ❣️🎉
    ... See MoreSee Less

    We would like to extend a special CONGRATULATIONS to our volunteer Terre Schroeder for winning a 2023 Be the Difference Award! The Be the Difference Award honors those who do the most to transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism 🏆

Terre is well deserving of this recognition. We so appreciate her dedicated work for our organization. Thank you for all that you do, and congrats, Terre! ❣️🎉

    Comment on Facebook

    Congratulations 👏👏👏

    3 days ago

    Want to give back while having fun? Then you're in luck — this Thursday's Good Neighbor Social gives you the opportunity for both! 🤩🥳

    Help Housing Matters make this event the best it can be. On June 1st, we're hosting the party of the year at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, with the added benefits of delicious food from Sampa Brazilian Food and the amazing sounds of The Joint Chiefs Band. You can help us make this party all the better by joining us for the evening in one of the following roles:
    Event Setup
    Party Games
    Event Clean-up

    We at Housing Matters cannot do the imperative work of housing our neighbors without benefits like this one, and we cannot do our work completely without the generosity of our volunteers. By helping us at this event, you are supporting our mission to resolve homelessness together in Santa Cruz County.

    Visit tinyurl.com/volunteerGNS to sign up today!

    #gns2023 #goodneighborsocial #housingmatters #housingmatterssc #fundraiser #HouseATHON
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Want to give back while having fun? Then youre in luck — this Thursdays Good Neighbor Social gives you the opportunity for both! 🤩🥳

Help Housing Matters make this event the best it can be. On June 1st, were hosting the party of the year at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, with the added benefits of delicious food from Sampa Brazilian Food and the amazing sounds of The Joint Chiefs Band. You can help us make this party all the better by joining us for the evening in one of the following roles:
Event Setup
Party Games
Event Clean-up

We at Housing Matters cannot do the imperative work of housing our neighbors without benefits like this one, and we cannot do our work completely without the generosity of our volunteers. By helping us at this event, you are supporting our mission to resolve homelessness together in Santa Cruz County.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/volunteerGNS to sign up today! 

#gns2023 #goodneighborsocial #housingmatters #housingmatterssc #fundraiser #HouseATHON

    Comment on Facebook

    WE look forward to this FABULOUS Event! YES! HOUSING does MATTER!! 👏👏👏👏

    1 week ago

    As excited as you are for the three-day weekend, and do you want to extend the fun? Attend the Good Neighbor Social 2023 next Thursday, June 1!🤩

    We're just one week away from the 2nd annual Good Neighbor Social, a benefit for Housing Matters taking place at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, and we cannot wait to see you there.

    This event has everything — music from the local funk and jazz ensemble The Joint Chiefs Band, delicious food from Sampa Brazilian Food, a rocking dance floor, games galore, and more! This is a great chance to raise money for a good cause while having a rockin' good time.

    Buy your tickets now at the link below, and remember to invite your friends, family and good neighbors to join in the fun! 💃🕺

    give.housingmatterssc.org/event/2nd-annual-good-neighbor-social/e485949

    #goodneighborsocial #housingmatters #housingmatterssc #fundraiser #HouseATHON
    ... See MoreSee Less

    As excited as you are for the three-day weekend, and do you want to extend the fun? Attend the Good Neighbor Social 2023 next Thursday, June 1!🤩

Were just one week away from the 2nd annual Good Neighbor Social, a benefit for Housing Matters taking place at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing, and we cannot wait to see you there. 

This event has everything — music from the local funk and jazz ensemble The Joint Chiefs Band, delicious food from Sampa Brazilian Food, a rocking dance floor, games galore, and more! This is a great chance to raise money for a good cause while having a rockin good time.

Buy your tickets now at the link below, and remember to invite your friends, family and good neighbors to join in the fun! 💃🕺

https://give.housingmatterssc.org/event/2nd-annual-good-neighbor-social/e485949

#goodneighborsocial #housingmatters #housingmatterssc #fundraiser #HouseATHON