Housing Matters

Some of the staff are very kind and helpful but Sam in particular was horrible dealing with. Sam displayed a level of callousness and disregard that was not only unprofessional, but also dehumanizing. I reached out with genuine concerns and urgent needs related to my housing situation, only to be dismissed without empathy or assistance. Sam repeatedly ignored and brushed off my calls, and when I was finally able to speak with them, their attitude was cold, abrupt, and lacking even the most basic courtesy or concern. I was met with indifference instead of support, and their tone made it clear that I was being treated as a burden, not as a human being in crisis. Shelters are supposed to be a place of refuge and dignity for people in their most vulnerable moments. Being treated with such unkindness only adds to the trauma of being unhoused. It’s especially harmful when someone in a position of power uses that role to dismiss people who have nowhere else to turn. I hope this review is taken seriously. No one seeking shelter should be met with cruelty or disregard. I urge management to re-evaluate the training, supervision, and accountability of staff members who interact with the public.

I just called and spoke with someone in security. He was rude and unfocused. He was conversing with multiple people instead of handling the phone call. I needed help with a specific extension, trying to get ahold of someone, and his was response was, “I’ve never called this number, I don’t know who to call.” And then he hung up on me. The security staff definitely needs more training. I feel bad for anyone else who has to call, I pray they don’t need security.

*Update: NOTHING has changed! And it most likely will never change! Nobody wants to be the only one pointing fingers, so they just keep their mouth's shut.* I wish I could give a ZERO star rating. This place is a flipping joke! Most of the security people are decent, but a good few of them are power hungry uppity-ups. The Day Services employees either HATE anyone who needs the services, or they HATE their job, or they HATE themselves for doing their job. The employees are given explicit instructions on exactly how to NOT give assistance to the Day Services clientele, but without it seeming like they're NOT helping! It's really very DISTURBING, DISGUSTING, and DEPLORABLE!! Not to mention DEGRADING and DISHONEST!!! Most of the Day Services employees are pocketing almost ALL of the good or decent donations before any of the clients even have a chance to ask for any of it! This place and the higher up are just wrong and the BS needs to be STOPPED!!! IMMEDIATELY!!!

This place got me housed ....highly recommend if your homeless. .

The worst type of nonprofit just paying themselves hella Skrill and snagging all the best donations for themselves stealing homeless people's things bikes etc and slow playing us for housing

It is a great place to receive help and find different programs to fulfill your needs. You can get medical help, housing or even help with recovery. It's really great the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because there are drugs in the area and all the people around the area bring it down. If you're a recovering addict like myself and my husband it really tests you each and everyday. So if you're not really strong in your recovery then I would steer clear and if you are and are having a bad day stay away. If you're looking for that start or opportunity to change your life here is the best place to start.

Very helpful place to get you on your feet again!

I wonder sometimes what is more dear to Housing Matter's site supervisor's heart. (That would be Evan Simpson by the way.) Is it a generalized presumption of a homeless person's time or her and the maintenance guy's daily schedule? Along with her "I went to college so I know better" character I would presume it's a paycheck. Come on. This place can become a leader in helping people but as of now is apparently stuck with a person who would be more suited to manage a 7-11.

kevin in the mailroom is kool. all the other guards er wateva think they r sum type of zhelp but noooooo they r in charge of the showerz md allow guys 2 take 1 b4 the women!! if u have a job. ull bee. waiting 4 hours 2 even get in there!! the mexican guy at the tower twill treat u like garbage nd have ur whole day wasted trying to get klean!!!!!!! they r noooooo help except 4 getting some mail 4 yo food stamps nd wat not!!!!!!!! if only there was betta help in santa cruz 4 women/chillren and minorities!!!! they lie nd pretent 2 bee any help 4 nothing!!!!!!!!! only 1 person has helped me here nd thats kevin!!!!!!!

This place really needs an audit. My family of three called on Santa Cruz homeless shelter for help and we ended up sleeping in our car waiting for them for well over three weeks while they kept promising us the world. The shelter told is they would help with tires for my truck,food,clothing,a motel,hygiene,an apartment,. Three months later and Santa Cruz homeless shelter has helped us with nothing at all and we have heard this same story from many less fortunate like ourselves. We feel the staff that promised us help led us down a road of lies for reasons unknown. I myself feel they kept us going to further secure there paycheck by calling us there client. Please do your homework before trusting this place when your in need of help or wanting to donate to a good cause! Hopefully this type of treatment for the needy doest go on with SCHS but until them beware.

On Labor Day I went there for a shower. When it was my turn I was told there's a 15 min limit. Fine. After undressing I turn on hot water & wait...& wait...& wait, then I stuck my head out the door & was told there's hot water for first 5 min only...I re-dressed, sans shower, & said they should tell folks BEFORE their "shower" that only 5 min of hot water is allowed & was told I should be more grateful. Ahhh, don't we all LOVE these folks who hate their job, or people, whatever, then choose to inflict it upon the very ones they're supposedly there to help? I choose not to go there again, I don't need the attitude.

I went to the Center with two garbage bags filled with socks, t-shirts and several jackets. When I went to he gate I was told that the Center no longer takes clothes. "Just put them on the ." I was really mad. I'd go at homeless camp on River St. Guess what? I never found it. I drove back and gave up. I'll leave at Goodwill. I find it weird a homeless center won't take clean and sox. Strange times.

Great place to serve others with plenty of need. They can use any and all talents. To sign up visit their website and call to schedule an interview followed by a 4 hour training.

Soup kitchen fundraiser was a blast. Well organized... tons of vegan...Way to go volunteers and donors.