Formerly known as Homeless Services Center, Housing Matters is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest local organization addressing homelessness in Santa Cruz County. Our mission is to partner with individuals and families to create pathways out of homelessness into permanent housing. Donor contributions support our emergency shelter programs (including housing navigation and placement), personalized case management, day services with showers and bathrooms open to the public, on-site supportive services, and the construction of permanent supportive housing—now underway—for our unhoused neighbors most in need. We hold firmly to the vision that homelessness in our community should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. If you share that same vision, consider joining us! Take a look at our current job openings, or contact us about volunteer opportunities.
External link for Housing Matters
115B Coral Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060, US
Join us for 'Picture This: Reimagining Home and Belonging' on Sunday, April 7th for the launch of our Community Conversations Speakers Bureau! Speakers and presenters will share unique perspectives as they engage the audience on themes of home, belonging, land and place.
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Two weeks ago, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling in the case City of Grants Pass v Johnson that allows local governments to fine and imprison our unhoused family, friends, or neighbors for sleeping in public, even if they are inside their cars, and even when no other shelter space is available. Housing Matters is saddened and concerned by this decision, which comes amidst a growing wave of criminalization ordinances, and amidst overwhelming evidence that those criminalization strategies have failed to reduce unsheltered homelessness. These coercive and counterproductive policies are roadblocks in the process of helping people return to permanent housing, undermining our work. Most importantly, they leave some of the most vulnerable people in our society with an impossible choice: either stay awake or be arrested. — Housing Matters Board of Directors and the Executive Team (July 3rd, 2024) For the full statement, please visit our website's blog post: https://lnkd.in/g3S5U7Rt
Disappointing News. #SCOTUS rules against Johnson in #JohnsonVGrantsPass. Arresting and fining people won’t solve homelessness, but we know what will: a united, data-driven, and equity-focused approach. We remain committed to building a future where homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring. #resolvinghomelessnesstogether For more information on the ruling, read the press release from Community Solutions (link in below). https://lnkd.in/gnC4Pbc6
Longstock 2024: Hosted by Santa Cruz Locals to Benefit Housing Matters Looking for a chance to have fun AND raise funds to support an awesome cause? Longstock is the perfect event for you! On Saturday, June 22nd, enjoy great local bands and delicious food and drink in the Santa Cruz Mountains at the Longstock Music Festival, put on by Santa Cruz locals! Join the summer solstice celebration with 8 local bands, specialty beverages from the on-site brewery, Mexican cuisine from El Buen Taco and free camping under the stars! Come enjoy the music, vibes and tie-dye an awesome event T-shirt with us! The Longstock Music Festival is from 12-10pm on June 22nd at 14350 Longridge Rd., Los Gatos, 95033. This event is hosted by Santa Cruz locals as a benefit for Housing Matters. This event is completely run by volunteers and it is going to be epic, so don’t miss out! Longstock is a free admission event but encourages donations to Housing Matters to help in the mission of resolving homelessness together. Longstock attendees may donate directly to the nonprofit by way of visiting this Giving page > https://lnkd.in/dHA_rWBP
Interested in learning more about our programs and services? Join us NEXT TUESDAY, June 11, for an in-person Campus Tour! Collin Webb, Housing Now Housing Stabilization Specialist, and Don Lane, Vice President of the Housing Matters Board, will offer an informative walk through campus and answer your questions. Collin and Don will inspire and enlighten you as they share their unique perspectives on the organization and the housing crisis as a whole. FREE coffee and pastries are always provided! To register for this tour, please visit> https://lnkd.in/dW-g4R6P For more information, or to schedule a private tour, please contact Marlena De Castro, Community Education Specialist, at mdecastro@housingmatterssc.org #housingmatterssc
Join us at the Santa Cruz Pride Parade, this Sunday, June 2nd at 11AM. We stand for equal and just treatment of all people. And we can’t wait to show up to support our friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and participants. Housing Matters is a Bronze Sponsor of the 49th Annual Santa Cruz Pride Parade in Downtown Santa Cruz. Join in the largest LGBTQ+ Pride Parade on the Central Coast. We will be singing, dancing and celebrating equality as a contingent in the parade. Housing Justice IS Queer Justice! #housingmatters #SantaCruzPride #BeaconOfPride #DowntownSantaCruz #HousingJusticeIsQueerJustice #LoveIsLove @santacruz_pride
We are proud to unveil our Pride Heart logo in support of Pride month and the Santa Cruz Pride Parade, this Sunday, June 2nd at 11AM. We'll be handing out our Pride Heart stickers at the parade! We stand for equal and just treatment of all people. And we can’t wait to show up to support our friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and participants. Housing Matters is a Bronze Sponsor of the 49th Annual Santa Cruz Pride Parade in Downtown Santa Cruz. Join in the largest LGBTQ+ Pride Parade on the Central Coast. We will be singing, dancing and celebrating equality as a contingent in the parade. Housing Justice IS Queer Justice! #housingmatters #SantaCruzPride #BeaconOfPride #DowntownSantaCruz #HousingJusticeIsQueerJustice #LoveIsLove @santacruz_pride
There has been a lot of activity on campus in preparation for Harvey West Studios. We're getting the site staged for the construction of the largest Permanent Supportive Housing project in Santa Cruz County which will house 120 chronically homeless individuals. The former River Street Shelter has been demolished and its footprint paved. Stay tuned for the announcement of the official Groundbreaking Ceremony later this summer! #housingmatters #permanentsupportivehousing #harveyweststudios
There has been a lot of activity on campus in preparation for Harvey West Studios. We're getting the site staged for the construction of the largest Permanent Supportive Housing project in Santa Cruz County which will house 120 chronically homeless individuals. The portables that were used by Housing Matters have all been removed. Stay tuned for the announcement of the official Groundbreaking Ceremony later this summer! #housingmatters #permanentsupportivehousing #harveyweststudios