Policy: Homelessness
Homelessness is an urgent issue in Marin County. The high cost of living is the number one predictor and cause of homelessness in the Bay Area. With a severe lack of affordable housing, emergency shelters, and limited number of open spaces in shelters, Marin County has a growing critical issue. Housing is a human right, and Marin must do more. Marin County takes a “housing first” approach to housing, which strives to get people into housing and then address issues, rather than criminalizing homelessness. There are no dedicated funding sources for addressing homelessness. Current information on homelessness in Marin is available here.
MEHC recommends reading Homelessness is a Housing Problem, by Gregg Colburn, Clayton Page Aldern. It explains the direct relation between the high cost of housing and homelessness.
Policy News
- KQED: Wildfires worsen California's housing crisis and homelessness
January 15, 2025California, homelessness, Homelessness, Housing News, Media, Policy - Marin IJ: Homeless population in Marin is slowly shrinking
January 16, 2025Marin County Unincorporated, homelessness, Homelessness, Housing News, Media, Policy - New York Times: Ending homelessness amongst veterans gives hope for broader community
August 6, 2024Marin County Unincorporated, homelessness, Homelessness, Housing News, Media, Policy - Marin IJ: Marin County survey on housing displacement
August 13, 2024Marin County Unincorporated, homelessness, Housing News, Media - Marin IJ: Marin Voice: Hurdles to helping homeless begin with limited affordable housing
July 28, 2024BAHFA, homelessness, Policy - Marin IJ: Marin stakeholders react to Newsom order on homeless sweeps
July 25, 2024homelessness, Policy, State Legislation
Policy Advocacy
MEHC statement on Point Reyes ranchers and housing
Included in the “MEHC Coming Up Week of January 13” newsletter was the following statement in response to the decision in Point Reyes that could harm families. MEHC is deeply troubled by the apparent exclusion and neglect of families residing and working on the ranches throughout this process. MEHC stands for the belief that environmentalism…
Letter to Marin Board of Supervisors to support funding request for Marinwood Plaza
On December 12, 2024 MEHC sent the Marin Board of Supervisors a letter urging the approval of funds requested by the Marinwood Plaza developers. You can read the letter below. Dear Esteemed Marin County Supervisors, The Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC) advocates for projects and policies that advance affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and social justice….
Letter of advocacy for the Countywide Plan Amendments
On December 12, 2024 MEHC sent a letter to the Marin Planning Commission to advocate for amendments regarding the Countywide Plan and Housing Element. You can read it below. Dear Esteemed Planning Commissioners, The Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC) advocates for projects and policies that advance affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and social justice. We are…
Action Alert: Marin County Planning Commission & Board of Supervisors meetings to attend – 12/16 and 12/17
Two times in the week leading up to December 16th, 2024, MEHC sent out Action Alerts to encourage attendance and letters of support for important county meetings. The Action Alert included template emails. You can view all below. SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND COUNTYWIDE PLAN! ADVOCATE FOR MARINWOOD PLAZA FUNDING!…
MEHC Letter of Support for Northgate Town Square
On November 26th, MEHC sent a formal letter of support to the San Rafael City Council, to advocate for the approval of the Northgate Town Square plans. On December 2, 2024 the City Council meeting will vote in favor or against this project. MEHC strongly supports it. You can read the letter below. Dear San…
