Since 1986, Housing Matters has been walking alongside individuals and families experiencing homelessness, partnering with them to find their own pathway to stable, permanent housing. What began with grassroots efforts to meet basic needs has grown into evidence-proven wrap-around programs and services that now include building and operating permanent supportive housing.
Over the past few years, Housing Matters has been laying the foundation for growth to provide more programs and services, and increase permanent supportive housing units across the county.
“Only together can we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible as we work to end homelessness, one person or family at a time,” Housing Matters CEO Phil Kramer said. “We can solve homelessness. It is never a simple, one-size-fits-all solution, but we have learned what works: well-resourced emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, case management and housing navigation. An essential aspect is listening closely to the needs of our participants to ensure that all organizational growth is thoughtful, intentional, and impactful.”
In September 2024, Housing Matters started construction on Harvey West Studios, the largest PSH housing development in Santa Cruz County to date. The project will create 120 units of housing for chronically homeless individuals. Chronic homelessness is defined as individuals who have been living unhoused for a year or more, or who have experienced homelessness repeatedly, and who struggle with one or more disabling conditions. The project, located on the Housing Matters Coral Street campus, will feature both recuperative care and health clinics on the ground floor, as well as community space for case management and peer support services.
“Harvey West Studios, the largest permanent supportive housing development in Santa Cruz County to date, will forever transform how we approach our mission to partner with individuals and families to create pathways out of homelessness into stable housing,” Kramer said. “This project embodies our commitment to the vision that homelessness should be rare, brief, and non-recurring in Santa Cruz County.”
Thanks to projects like Harvey West Studios, the community is moving incrementally closer to a future where there will be enough permanent supportive housing to meet the need.
Last year, Housing Matters helped 427 people move into stable housing, a 35% year-over increase, and the organization is on pace to help even more people by the end of 2024. Housing Matters’ Shelter & Supportive Services programs continue to grow, working closely with local and statewide programs, such as CalAIM to sustain the growth. These changes have greatly increased Housing Matters’ ability to scale up to provide even more case management, housing navigation, supportive services, and supportive housing to more people experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused.
When you choose to Scale with Us, you’re not only giving a gift, you’re joining Housing Matters’ enthusiastic commitment to end homelessness. You’re helping expand the impact and reach of Housing Matters’ programs and services. You’re joining a vision rooted in equality and just treatment for all.
“Our commitment is to the whole community, ensuring no one is left out,” Kramer said “We believe that lasting change happens when we work together. We offer programs and services that aren’t available anywhere else and have become integral to the fabric of the community.”
Scale with Us to resolve homelessness together. Let’s make Santa Cruz County a place where everyone has a safe and healthy place to call home.
