Project Homekey at 1251 South Elisio Drive is Needed and Appropriate

MEHC strongly supports the proposed Homekey project at 1251 South Eliseo Drive. We urge the Larkspur City Council 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. 

The Corte Madera Town Council confronted the same issue in late 2020 and early 2021 with the Homekey site on Casa Buena Drive. Neighbors were concerned and many were opposed. But the Town Council showed leadership by bringing together neighbors, both opponents and supporters, into a community working group to make recommendations and monitor the process. This project has moved forward successfully, providing interim housing for some months, and is currently undergoing rehabilitation for permanent supportive housing. 

We believe the South Eliseo is a good site for this project. 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. We ask that you work with the County, Episcopal Community Services, and the community advisory group formed for this project to respond to neighbors’ concerns. Larkspur can point to its own successful example of supportive housing for the formerly homeless at Homeward Bound’s King Street facility.