Dignity Health is awarding a $1 million to Housing Matters to build Harvey West Studios, a residence for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Santa Cruz County.
The total cost of this ambitious project, years in the making, is estimated at $25 million to $28 million.
This five-story apartment complex with 120 rental units with a manager’s unit and supportive services is be built at 119 Coral St., Santa Cruz, a new addition to the Housing Matters campus.
The developer is New Way Homes, founded by Sibley Simon in 2015.
Each studio will provide about 300 square feet of modest living space.
Modular construction is planned for this all-electric building, with solar and “clean air” technologies to reduce energy requirements and environmental impacts.
A fee waiver has been requested from the city of Santa Cruz. The Planning Commission endorsed it, and City Council has yet to vote.
Housing Matters launched its Building with Purpose campaign for Harvey West Studios in June 2021.
Most new housing built in Santa Cruz County is priced for middle income to affluent households as those developments are more profitable than building rental apartments for the low-income market, although such units are much needed. Developers seek federal low-income tax credits but the funding provided by Congress falls far short of the need, stalling many projects.
Although Santa Cruz County has received millions in state homeless funding, the Grand Jury in 2020 found that funding is inconsistent, making it difficult for local agencies to plan projects that take years to come to fruition.
Dignity Health, a longtime Housing Matters partner, is a nonprofit health system that includes Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz and Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican physicians and locations throughout Santa Cruz County.
“As health care providers, we do all we can to mitigate the health impacts of our patients who are experiencing homelessness, but no amount of health care can substitute for stable housing,” said Dominican Hospital President Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz. “We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Housing Matters as they provide innovative solutions to this pressing challenge.”
Unhoused individuals lacking health insurance or a primary care doctor can seek medical care at a hospital emergency department.
Dominican Hospital’s emergency department is the only one in north Santa Cruz County, and under the 1986 federal EMTALA law, they must be treated, whether or not they can afford to pay.
Santa Cruz County, which has little low-cost housing, has one of the highest per-capita rates of homelessness in the state.
In January 2019, the Homeless Point-in-Time Count, a federally mandated census, estimated 2,167 people homelessness.
That’s one of every 125 residents.
Some have a disabling condition. In 2022, California is providing monthly Supplement Security Income of $1,040.
Their stability relies heavily on access to daily services like medical care and other supportive services, and permanent affordable housing.
“Harvey West Studios will offer a healing environment where people can feel at home within a shared community,” said Phil Kramer, Housing Matters CEO. “On-site services and the proximity to services co-located on the Housing Matters campus will further support them on their individual paths to health and housing stability.”
The design includes gathering areas for residents, landscaped spaces, and onsite medical and behavioral health services.
“We’re so grateful to receive this contribution, which we see as a deep commitment to the health of our entire community,” said Mer Stafford, chief impact officer at Housing Matters.
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Images by David Baker Architects