About Santa Cruz County Bridge House

Santa Cruz County Bridge House is an innovative, 32-bed center with temporary housing located at 2202 Soquel Avenue. The center provides comprehensive services to individuals with behavioral health conditions which may be preventing them from accessing help and transitioning out of homelessness. 

Input from various groups, including individuals with lived experience of mental illness, have emphasized the urgent need for housing solutions with integrated behavioral health services. The first of its kind in Santa Cruz County, this referral-based center is a step forward in addressing the intersection of homelessness and behavioral health challenges in our community.

Funding for Santa Cruz County Bridge House is possible through a $10.2 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). 

Eligibility

Bridge House is funded through a $10.2 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). 

  • As required by the state, this new program prioritizes access to individuals participating in the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) plan.  
  • Secondary priority will go to individuals with histories of frequent utilization of crisis and inpatient behavioral health services with long histories of homelessness. 
  • It is expected that Bridge House will help 60-80 Santa Cruz residents each year, with an average stay of six months. However, individuals may be able to secure permanent housing sooner than this timeframe.
Our Service Model

Our goal is to provide a safe space for treatment and recovery while creating a pathway to long-term housing. Many people can stabilize, begin healing, and exit homelessness in less restrictive, community-based care settings. Our services help promote recovery by providing person-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care.

  • Bridge House offers both on-site 24/7 resident service operated by a third-party contractor, Housing Matters, and a full array of behavioral health services provided by the Santa Cruz County Integrated Housing and Recovery Team (IHART)
  • Bridge House features space to support on-site health care services.
  • Staff provide comprehensive services to individuals as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing and ensure they have the tools and resources they need to remain stably housed and healthy.

 

Resources

Santa Cruz County Bridge House is a collaborative effort among the Health Services Agency's Behavioral Health Division, the Human Services Department’s Housing for Health (H4H) Division, and the Community Infrastructure and Development (CDI) Department, in partnership with our care provider, Housing Matters.

  Santa Cruz County Housing for Health (H4H)'s Strategic Framework to Reduce Homelessness.
  For resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, visit H4H's shelter list.
  Get to know more our service care provider partner, Housing Matters
  Behavioral Health Resource Guide: Local resources for community members who may be experiencing mental health crises or challenges.