Scotts Valley, Calif., April 29, 2021 – Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance), the Medi-Cal managed health care plan for residents of Monterey, Merced and Santa Cruz counties, is proud to announce its collaboration with Housing Matters, a nonprofit dedicated to finding solutions to homelessness in Santa Cruz County. The Alliance awarded Housing Matters two separate grants through its Medi-Cal Capacity Grant Program, which offers funding to community organizations wishing to increase access and expand services for Alliance Medi-Cal members.
The Alliance recognizes that housing is one of the most important social determinants of health that directly impacts health outcomes. Through a $2.5M Capital Implementation grant, the Alliance is supporting the construction of a permanent supportive housing complex on the Housing Matters’ Santa Cruz campus. This five-story complex with 120 residential units will house and provide case management to chronically homeless, medically vulnerable individuals, many of whom are Alliance Medi-Cal members.
The Alliance is also supporting the Recuperative Care Center at Housing Matters through $1.5M in grant funding from its Recuperative Care Pilot program. The pilot program funds recuperative care and temporary housing for Medi-Cal members who are currently homeless and recovering from an acute illness or injury. This short-term housing solution is an alternative to hospital care that reduces the likelihood of hospital readmission. It allows people the opportunity to heal while accessing medical care and other supportive services such as housing navigation.
“The link between housing and health is undeniable,” said Alliance CEO Stephanie Sonnenshine. “Supportive housing helps individuals with complex health needs achieve and maintain positive health outcomes. The Alliance’s partnership with Housing Matters on this important local initiative aligns with our vision of ‘healthy people, healthy communities’.”
Sonnenshine took part in a video by Housing Matters that shares how the permanent supportive housing project will benefit some of the county’s most medically vulnerable, chronically homeless residents.
“The solution to homelessness is housing and we are grateful for the partnership with the Alliance that will help find safe pathways to housing for so many vulnerable members of our community,” said Housing Matters Executive Director Phil Kramer. “These projects will allow people’s health and well-being to grow in a safe, supported space.”
Housing Matters, established in 1998, is the largest nonprofit in Santa Cruz County working on solutions to homelessness. Its mission is partnering with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. For more information, visit www.housingmatterssc.org.
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