Homeless Services Center Has a New Name
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 below.
Why change the name now?
With the support of our community we have intentionally surged beyond traditional homeless services. In the past two years, Housing Matters and its supporters helped over 550 individuals resolve their homelessness and find permanent housing. By igniting a community dialogue around matters of housing, we’ll make even greater strides towards resolving homelessness together. Now is precisely the time to be having a community conversation about why housing matters.
The new name reflects who we are today; we provide services to clients well beyond the walls of our campus; we are not solely a place-based “center.” We support people out in the community through a wide variety of services and programs.
Why Housing Matters?
The board and staff have made intentional steps to go beyond traditional homeless services, and focus on long-term solutions to homelessness. To refocus the community conversation around homelessness, we need to put the spotlight on the solution — housing.
Since the word “homeless” is no longer in your name, will you continue to focus on homelessness?
Housing Matters has never been more deeply committed to making homelessness in Santa Cruz County rare, brief and non-recurring. We’re putting the spotlight on the solution that matters most – housing. Housing is the focus of the conversations we have with our clients and we believe that housing should be the focus of the conversation that we all have when discussing solutions to homelessness.
Will you continue to offer shelter services?
Yes. For many families, veterans, and other individuals, temporary shelter is an important and effective stepping stone on the path to permanent housing.
Will the mission and programs stay the same?
Yes and yes. Housing Matters has never been more deeply committed to making homelessness in Santa Cruz County rare, brief and non-recurring. Our programs and services will continue to be laser-focused on partnering with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness and into permanent housing.
Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your gifts. Thank you for joining us in elevating the conversation around matters of housing with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.
If you have any questions about our new name, please reach out at contact@housingmatterssc.org.
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