September 17, 2019

After 33 years of service as Homeless Services Center, now we are proud to serve this community with the name Housing Matters.

Housing is how we’ll resolve homelessness together. Housing is the focus of the conversations we have with our clients. Housing is the conversation we seek with you, with our civic leaders, and with the broader community. Housing matters to everyone in Santa Cruz County.

Whether you are a beloved supporter of this organization, or just learning about us for the first time, you may have a few questions. Please enjoy the Q&A about our name change >

September 13, 2019

From CalMatters: Gov. Gavin Newsom is right when he says: “Shelter solves sleep. Housing solves homelessness.”

Shelters are short-term responses, not the long-term solution to California’s homelessness crises. That’s why our policies and resources should focus on the right to housing, not a right to shelter.

February 20, 2019

We sent this letter yesterday to community leaders and elected officials serving Santa Cruz County. The community discourse and concern regarding homelessness is at a critical point. Our Board President Claudia Brown and Executive Director Phil Kramer wrote this letter because we’re eager to continue building momentum and working as partners to bring change – now. […]

January 8, 2019

We are delighted to ring in the New Year with heartwarming news: thanks to you and the giving community of Santa Cruz County, we accomplished our goal! A total of 150 households were housed in 2018, which represents 19 more families than we housed the year prior. Because of our community’s support, 296 people who […]

December 21, 2018

By Phil Kramer, Executive Director, Housing Matters

A December 11, 2018, article in both the Mercury News and the Santa Cruz Sentinel reports on a recent study sponsored by Zillow, which indicates that rates of homelessness in the United States are worse than the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates — up to 20 percent higher across the nation, in fact.

December 6, 2018

By Erin Gaede, Recuperative Care Center & Page Smith Community House Program Manager

Each year, Santa Cruz’s Good Times selects a handful of area non-profits to be featured in their Santa Cruz Gives campaign. This annual holiday drive invites the community to support local non-profits, and throughout the giving season, the Good Times shares more in-depth information about the featured organizations.

March 10, 2017

As a volunteer at the Homeless Services Center, I have grown and learned so much from working alongside a team of dedicated staff. You will never find a more genuine and whole-hearted environment to be in. The people are very friendly and you never feel alone. There are a number of volunteer duties to take […]

June 29, 2017

A young man was a daily user of the showers for the truly homeless. Despite all his trials and tribulations, he was able to earn enough college credits at Cabrillo to be admitted to UCSC as a junior in the math department. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been. He stated that what […]

March 11, 2017

I have experienced a strong sense of community and support from everyone I have encountered here.  One thing I have specifically enjoyed witnessing is the obvious progress and improvement that clients and whole families undergo at our shelter, as case managers and other resources are provided and permanent housing is obtained by formerly homeless families. […]