The 2015 Marin County Civil Grand Jury report, “Homelessness in Marin — A Call for Leadership,” challenged the Board of Supervisors to lead in developing and implementing a systemic plan to end homelessness in Marin. The 2018 grand jury also endorsed the “Housing First” model and funding for more units.
Since the county endorsed the Housing First model, concentrated efforts have resulted in supportive housing for over 100 previously chronically homeless individuals.
Homeward Bound, the county’s premiere provider of services to the homeless, has opened Oma Village, a family housing site with 12 units in Novato; is nearing completion of affordable, supported housing for homeless seniors in Larkspur at a converted convent; and is pursuing expansion of its Mill Street property in San Rafael into a 60-bed shelter with 32 units of permanent supportive housing. Homeward Bound also proposes to build 25 units for veterans and 25 units of workforce housing for those transitioning out of homelessness, adjacent to its New Beginnings Center at Hamilton.
Thank you to the county for facing up to our homelessness issues, and a huge shout-out to Homeward Bound for its ceaseless efforts. Poor people don’t need to live on the streets or be hidden, thanks to innovative housing solutions being pursued all around us.
December 15, 2008
Marin Independent Journal
Letter by Sherry Rogers, Novato
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