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our programs

Housing Matters is one of many agencies providing health and human services in Santa Cruz County. We offer housing navigation, case management, emergency shelter, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness.

Day Services
Emergency shelter
Housing programs
Supportive housing

Day Services

We offer a variety of services to people experiencing homelessness who are not staying on our campus. These range from housing navigation and employment training programs to basic day services such as bathrooms, hot showers, and access to our mailroom.

Our campus is home to partner health organizations, Homeless Persons Health Project and Dientes Community Dental.

For information on accessing these services, visit our Campus Resources page.

Visit our Contact page for information on visiting our campus. For more information, call us at (831) 458-6020.

Bathroom

I was determined to find a place to call home and I felt deeply supported by the people I worked with at Housing Matters.”

Jenny, Housing Matters program participant
Inside the Shelter

Emergency Shelter

Housing Matters runs three emergency shelter programs on our campus, including a family shelter. The average stay in one of our shelters is approximately 3–6 months, depending on the program and the program participant’s individual situation. While in shelter, each resident works with a case manager on a permanent housing plan.
We also offer co-located health services, free workshops, and an employment training program. All of our services are designed to help you stabilize while you work toward housing.

Shelter Placement

The best way to learn about shelter availability and find a shelter that is right for you is to come to a Service Navigation Workshop.

Visit our campus from 2:00pm–4:00pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Our service navigation team will carefully listen to your individual situation and help you get connected with the services you need.

You can also make an appointment by calling us at (831) 458-6020. Ask to speak to someone on the Service Navigation Team.

Fill out this form to have someone call you back.

Housing Programs

Our many programs serve people in a variety of situations. The common thread is that all of our programs and services help people get out of homelessness and into stable housing.

We believe that housing — permanent, stable, adequate housing — should come first and that once housed, people who’ve been unhoused can start to heal from the trauma of homelessness. Only then is it possible to address the issues that may have contributed to homelessness in the first place.

Outside the shelter

Supportive Housing

Housing Matters opened 7 units of permanent—and supportive—housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness in September 2023 and a further 120-units are in development.

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