MEHC urges approval of Project Homekey

MEHC strongly supports the proposed Homekey project at 1251 South Eliseo Drive. We urge the Board of Supervisors to approve this project. While some neighbors have concerns about new residents, we are confident that Episcopal Community Services will continue to work with the community and provide the necessary services to assure peace and safety in the area. 

Housing prices of Marin are exorbitantly high, creating a situation in which many are unable to afford housing, a situation which can push some into homelessness. For many, this situation is temporary, but for others, it compounds existing challenges, and these individuals spiral into chronic homelessness. While the public decries the existence of homeless encampments around Marin, those encampments will be with us until we are able to create safe and stable housing for their residents. Homelessness is a public health crisis. Cruelly, so many become homeless because of a health condition, putting the most vulnerable into a situation that can only worsen their physical and mental health. Not only are homeless people at an elevated risk of being victimized by violence, but they are also exposed to risks of exposure, sepsis, malnutrition, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Any existing chronic disease is exacerbated. Shelters and group living put people at greater risk of getting, and spreading, infectious disease.

Homelessness is also an equity issue. According to the Marin County Point in Time Count (2019), “…those identifying as Black or African American were significantly overrepresented in the population experiencing homelessness: while only 2% of the general population identified as black or African American, 17% of those experiencing homelessness identified as such…19% of those enumerated identified as Hispanic/Latinx, compared to 16% of the general Marin County population.” 

Every community in Marin needs to be a part of the solution because homeless people originate from every community in Marin. Many jurisdictions are already providing supportive housing, including Novato, Fairfax, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Sausalito and, indeed, downtown Larkspur.

We believe South Eliseo is a good site for this project because it is already zoned for this type of residential use, it is close to medical care, and a short distance via public transit or a moderate walk to shopping and other services. It is also across the street from the county’s only crisis stabilization unit. Finally, the property overlooks the Corte Madera Creek – providing residents a healing connection with nature. Marin has made considerable progress in housing the homeless, and this project will take us one step closer to ending chronic homelessness in Marin County. We ask that you work with the City of Larkspur, Episcopal Community Services, and the community advisory group formed for this project to respond to neighbors’ concerns and make this project a successful model for the state.

MEHC strongly supports the proposed Homekey project at 1251 South Eliseo Drive. We urge the Board of Supervisors to approve this project. While some neighbors have concerns about new residents, we are confident that Episcopal Community Services will continue to work with the community and provide the necessary services to assure peace and safety in the area. 

Housing prices of Marin are exorbitantly high, creating a situation in which many are unable to afford housing, a situation which can push some into homelessness. For many, this situation is temporary, but for others, it compounds existing challenges, and these individuals spiral into chronic homelessness. While the public decries the existence of homeless encampments around Marin, those encampments will be with us until we are able to create safe and stable housing for their residents. Homelessness is a public health crisis. Cruelly, so many become homeless because of a health condition, putting the most vulnerable into a situation that can only worsen their physical and mental health. Not only are homeless people at an elevated risk of being victimized by violence, but they are also exposed to risks of exposure, sepsis, malnutrition, mental illness, and substance use disorders. Any existing chronic disease is exacerbated. Shelters and group living put people at greater risk of getting, and spreading, infectious disease.

Homelessness is also an equity issue. According to the Marin County Point in Time Count (2019), “…those identifying as Black or African American were significantly overrepresented in the population experiencing homelessness: while only 2% of the general population identified as black or African American, 17% of those experiencing homelessness identified as such…19% of those enumerated identified as Hispanic/Latinx, compared to 16% of the general Marin County population.” 

Every community in Marin needs to be a part of the solution because homeless people originate from every community in Marin. Many jurisdictions are already providing supportive housing, including Novato, Fairfax, San Rafael, Corte Madera, Sausalito and, indeed, downtown Larkspur.

We believe South Eliseo is a good site for this project because it is already zoned for this type of residential use, it is close to medical care, and a short distance via public transit or a moderate walk to shopping and other services. It is also across the street from the county’s only crisis stabilization unit. Finally, the property overlooks the Corte Madera Creek – providing residents a healing connection with nature. Marin has made considerable progress in housing the homeless, and this project will take us one step closer to ending chronic homelessness in Marin County. We ask that you work with the City of Larkspur, Episcopal Community Services, and the community advisory group formed for this project to respond to neighbors’ concerns and make this project a successful model for the state.