The nonprofit Housing Matters is getting ready to build 120 units of low-income housing for people currently living on the streets who are most at risk of dying as a result. In this wide-ranging conversation about homelessness and income inequality, Phil Kramer talks about the goals of his organization and the challenges of locating this type of housing in existing neighborhoods.
The 5–story residential complex will be located on the Housing Matters campus at 115 Coral Street. Housing Matters is in the final stages of raising funds for the project. The project received full planning approval and building plans will be submitted for approval later this year. Construction will begin in 2022 and the building will be ready for occupancy in 2023.
“We are building the largest permanent supportive housing project ever undertaken in the county of Santa Cruz,” said Phil Kramer, executive director of Housing Matters. “The solution to homelessness is housing. By adding a permanent supportive housing building to Housing Matters’ campus, we are creating 120 units of affordable housing for people experiencing chronic homelessness in Santa Cruz County.”
