Homelessness & Housing Subcommittee Meeting
On Thursday, February 13th, the City’s Homelessness & Housing Subcommittee met to receive key updates from staff. Michelle Funez and Emily Mann from Marin County Health & Human Services presented on the local launch of California’s CARE Court program. Marin County launched the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act program, also known as CARE Court, on December 1, 2024, under Senate Bill (SB) 1338. In partnership with county and community organizations, the program establishes a new pathway to provide mental health services for individuals aged 18 and older diagnosed with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders who are not clinically stabilized in the community.
CARE Court takes a community-focused approach, emphasizing early intervention and less restrictive care settings to prevent severe impairment and deterioration that might otherwise lead to placement on an involuntary psychiatric hold or undergoing an investigation to determine if long-term guardianship is needed.
Families, clinicians, first responders, and other eligible individuals can initiate the process by filing a petition with the civil court, connecting those in need to court-ordered, voluntary treatment. There are no filing fees, and the Legal Self-Help Center can offer free assistance to county residents interested in filing a CARE Petition.
For more information on the CARE Court program in Marin County, visit: Marin BHRS CARE Act
The subcommittee also received updates on Ratio Utility Billing Systems (RUBS), recent homelessness policy changes in neighboring Marin jurisdictions, enforcement of San Rafael’s camping ordinance, and the implementation of the Encampment Resolution Funding Round 3 (ERF-3) grant. Additionally, the subcommittee discussed ongoing collaboration and partnership between the City and Marin County to address homelessness.
For the full agenda and meeting recording please visit: February 13, 2025, Subcommittee Meeting.
Sanctioned Camping Area: February Update
The Sanctioned Camping Area has a capacity of 50 participants and currently has 48 participants.
Recently four individuals were exited from the program—two for violations of the code of conduct and two due to extended absences without providing any notice or communication. Two new participants have moved into the site recently, and two others are expected by the end of next week, to bring the site back to full capacity. All new program participants are individuals that are eligible for ERF-3 services and were residing in the Mahon Creek Area encampment since early 2024.
Approximately 25% of the participants currently have case management through various local agencies. St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) has been contracted by the County of Marin to provide housing-based case management services to ERF-3 eligible individuals, including those in the Sanctioned Camping Area. The current contract is for one housing case manager and SVDP is in the hiring process for this role. The County will be contracting with SVDP for two additional housing-based case managers to also serve ERF-3 participants. The update for this contract is anticipated early this spring.
Participants are at varying stages of their pathway to housing. Currently, one participant is in process to secure a housing unit with Homeward Bound’s upcoming Workforce Housing development. Another participant currently has a housing voucher and is in process to identify and secure a permanent housing unit.
The site’s program management team, FS Global, are coordinating an effort with outreach service providers and housing-based case management staff to ensure all participants are document ready for housing applications. Most of the individuals in the Sanctioned Camp are eligible for Permanent Supportive Housing and will need a form of a housing voucher. This step of ensuring all participants are document ready is important so that when additional vouchers are released participants are in a better position to secure housing more quickly.
Additionally, since moving into the Sanctioned Camp, three participants have successfully gained employment, demonstrating the stability and opportunities the program can help foster. Many participants are thriving with improved social health, benefiting from a safe, stable place to sleep and store personal belongings. Through this supportive environment many participants have reconnected with medical services, improved connection with service providers, and are rebuilding practices that are important for housing stability and transitioning back into housing.
For anyone interested in donations to the Sanctioned Camping Area or with general questions, please contact the City’s Community Services Division at endhomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org.
February Seeds of Hope Service Fair & Luncheon
On Monday, February 10th, the City of San Rafael and Marin County Health and Human Services hosted the 10th Seeds of Hope Service Fair and Luncheon at the San Rafael Community Center. The event welcomed over 300 attendees and volunteers.
Seeds of Hope unites individuals, businesses, and organizations committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness in San Rafael. Participating services included the Ritter medical van for basic medical needs, Marin Humane Society for veterinary services and licensing, Marin Housing Authority, HHS Public Health, Medi-Cal, Clipper low-cost transportation cards, Marin County Public Defender, the Marin Medical Reserves for hands only CPR training, and over 20 other organizations.
A key benefit of the event is connecting individuals with services they may not have known about. For instance, Clipper Start helped an attendee apply for a card that reduces her transportation costs by 50%.
The event also featured a catered meal by Dee Wagner’s nonprofit, NoHungerHere, offering a locally sourced menu, including Bolinas lettuces, roasted broccolini, baked rigatoni, and signature brown butter chocolate chunk cookies. Funded by a Kaiser Permanente grant, No Hunger Here provided food, staffing, and event essentials.
The 11th Seeds of Hope event will be held on Monday, May 5 at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street. We invite all to attend—join in conversations, serve food, or help set up.
To learn more about Seeds of Hope or to volunteer, please contact:
Lynn Murphy, Mental Health Liaison
(415) 485-3489 | 581@srpd.org
Rooted in Marin: Public Draft Report
Rooted in Marin is a countywide community centered engagement and education initiative focused on understanding displacement in Marin County. One of the project’s key deliverables is a report outlining the community engagement process, feedback received, and information on relevant policies, including feasibility analysis and case studies from other jurisdictions.
The draft report is now posted in English and Spanish on the Rooted in Marin website, available for public review until March 18, 2025. The final report and executive summary will be available later this spring.
To learn more about the initiative, review the report, and provide public comment, visit: https://www.rootedinmarin.org/