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Housing Matters

EIN 77-0126783 · Santa Cruz, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDE EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL SERVICES TO HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ.

Income
$33.6 million
Spending
$19.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
157
Volunteers
85
Highest pay
$232,425, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 55 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 131% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $15.8 million spent. Founded in 1986, Housing Matters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that partners with individuals and families in Santa Cruz County to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We hold firmly to a vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring. We are committed to providing programs based on Housing First practices. Housing First is a recovery-oriented, data-driven approach that centers on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing and providing additional support and services as needed. By utilizing evidence-based practices, Housing Matters is successfully exceeding goals in housing some of the most vulnerable populations in the county.Housing Matters provides a continuum of services through the following programs:1.The Loft Emergency Shelter (the Loft) provides emergency shelter to up to 57 people nightly.2.Rebele Family Shelter (RFS) provides emergency shelter to families with children and provides stable shelter to 28 families (up to 90 individuals) at any given time.3.The Recuperative Care Center (RCC) is a 35 bed medical respite shelter operated in partnership with Santa Cruz County's Homeless Persons Health Project and several local healthcare organizations.4.Supportive Services and Housing Navigation programs connect individuals and families with appropriate housing solutions and provide after-housing services to support long-term housing success.5.Casa Azul is a permanent supportive housing program with seven units, providing stable housing and wraparound services for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness.Housing Matters' campus provides a restorative experience with access to on-site medical, dental, and mental health care through our partners: Santa Cruz County's Homeless Persons Health Project and Dientes. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, we served 3857 individuals through a variety of programs. We provided over 57,703 bed nights, served 64,246 meals, sheltered 471 people, helped 479 people find permanent housing, and provided case management and supportive services to 1372 people through a variety of programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.