350 Merrydale Road – Frequently Asked Questions
Program Basics
What is a private cabin and what is the Interim Shelter Site/Community?
Interim shelter is a temporary housing solution for people experiencing homelessness. What this means in practical terms:
The Basics:
- It's a community or cluster of small, individual units (typically 80-140 square feet each).
- Each unit is basically a simple room with a door, heat, electricity, and sometimes a small window.
- These communities usually have shared bathrooms, showers, and common areas on-site.
- They include case management services to help residents find permanent housing and address other needs.
Why "interim"?
- The housing is meant to be a temporary bridge, not a final destination.
- Residents typically stay for several months to a year while they work toward finding permanent housing. It's a step-up from emergency shelters or living on the streets as it gives people more privacy, dignity, security, and stability while they get back on their feet.
How it differs from other shelters:
Unlike traditional congregate shelters where many people sleep in one large room, or the Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA) where people sleep in tents, a private cabin community gives each person their own private, lockable space. This provides more dignity, safety, and a sense of normalcy, which can make a real difference in people's mental health and ability to stabilize their lives.
Think of it as emergency shelter that gives people their own front door while they work on getting back into permanent housing.
What services will participants receive?
Each resident will be required to work with a case manager to create an individualized housing plan, and length of stays are flexible to allow enough time for progress while always focusing on the transition to long-term housing. Other supportive services include:
- Case management and housing navigation
- Health and substance use support
- Employment counseling and job resources
- Referrals to permanent housing
- Support for residents with pets, including a designated pet area and veterinary care.
The goal for the program is for residents to stay less than 18 months as they transition into a permanent placement.
Who will operate the site?
The Interim Shelter Site will be operated by Foege Schumann Global Disaster Solutions (FS Global). Since 2024, FS Global has successfully managed the Sanctioned Camping Area in downtown San Rafael, building strong relationships with residents through consistent support and respectful day-to-day management. Their team includes staff with lived experience of homelessness, which helps foster trust and ensures that services are delivered with compassion and dignity.
Case management and housing navigation will be provided by Marin nonprofit partners, including St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, Ritter Center, Catholic Charities, and others.
Who is eligible to participate?
The Interim Shelter Site/Community is intended to serve people currently experiencing homelessness in San Rafael. The program will prioritize individuals currently staying at the Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA), along Andersen Drive.
Because this project is partially funded through the State of California’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF3) in partnership with the County of Marin, not every unsheltered individual in San Rafael will be eligible to utilize this program. The population served will be limited to 70 unique individuals during the entire term of the interim shelter operation.
How long can someone stay?
The Interim Shelter Site is designed as a temporary program to help people stabilize and move toward permanent housing. Each resident is required to work with a case manager to create an individualized housing plan. Given this, the length of stay is flexible to allow enough time for progress towards the transition to long-term housing. The site itself is funded and planned as an interim solution, meaning it cannot run in perpetuity.
What is expected of shelter residents?
Shelter residents are expected to follow a code of conduct that helps keep the site safe, respectful, and supportive for everyone. This includes maintaining their units in good condition, keeping shared spaces clean, and following quiet hours. Residents are also asked to meet regularly with case managers to work toward their housing goals.
Rules are designed to protect the safety and dignity of both residents and the surrounding community.
In addition, the City and site operator will develop a Good Neighbor Policy to further strengthen communication, safety, and mutual respect between the site and nearby residents and businesses. The policy will address topics such as site operations, noise levels, litter management, and ongoing neighborhood coordination. Neighbors with questions or concerns can contact the City at Endhomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org City staff will respond and coordinate with the site operator to evaluate and address community feedback.
Is sobriety or drug testing required?
No, sobriety or drug testing is not required to participate in the site. The program follows the Housing First approach, which means people are not excluded from shelter because of substance use. Instead, the focus is on providing a safe place to stay and connecting residents with services that support stability, recovery, and long-term housing.
While sobriety is not a condition of entry, residents must follow community guidelines that prohibit illegal activity, violence, or behavior that threatens the safety of others. However, support for substance use recovery and behavioral health is available onsite through local service providers.
Neighborhood & Community Impact
A Good Neighbor Policy will be developed in coordination with Marin County’s Health and Human Services department. This is a mutual agreement between the site and the surrounding community to ensure a safe, peaceful, and clean environment for both residents and surrounding neighbors. It outlines clear expectations and communication protocols to proactively address concerns and minimize negative impacts on the neighborhood.
Will this attract more unhoused people to San Rafael?
No. Data shows that the vast majority of people experiencing homelessness in San Rafael are long-term local residents, not newcomers drawn to services. In December 2023, the City and its nonprofit partners surveyed encampments near Mahon Creek and found that nearly 90% of individuals had been in San Rafael for over a year, and two-thirds had lived in the City for more than a decade. Marin County’s 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time Count further confirmed that 62% of people experiencing homelessness in Marin were previously housed within the county.
The Interim Shelter site is designed to support people already living outdoors in San Rafael by offering a safe, managed environment with housing-focused services. By doing so, the City and County aim to reduce the impacts of unmanaged encampments in neighborhoods, San Rafael’s downtown, and in shared public spaces.
Participation in the program is limited to those currently in the Sanctioned Camping Area, and in the Andersen Drive unsanctioned encampment; not more than 70 unique individuals during the entire term of the interim shelter operation will be served at the site.
Sources:
San Rafael’s 2023 Needs Assessment Survey: https://bit.ly/3KSnWFz
Marin County’s Point-In-Time Count Report: https://bit.ly/4qdzx2s
How will the City ensure safety for neighbors?
Safety is a top priority for the City and the County. Clear Code of Conduct for all residents and the Good Neighbor Policy will be enforced to ensure safety and accountability, and violations may result in dismissal from the program.
- The City’s SAFE mobile mental health service provider is available to call for support and assistance if needed.
- Safety and security measures include:
- Professional security and controlled entry with bag checks.
- Perimeter fencing and lighting.
- Fire extinguishers and regular inspections by the Fire Department.
- However, neighbors who have concerns can reach the City at EndHomelessness@Cityofsanrafael.org. City staff will respond and evaluate steps to address any community member concerns.
Does Interim Shelter lower property values or increase crime?
Research shows no evidence that low-income and extremely-low-income housing decrease nearby property values or lead to increased crime. Similarly, communities that have added professionally managed interim shelter sites with onsite staffing and security have not seen negative impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
When vacant or unmanaged areas are converted into structured sites with clear rules, staffing, security, and access to services, surrounding neighborhoods often report greater stability and improved experience of safety.
Property values are shaped by many factors, but studies have found that the orderly replacement of unmanaged encampments with well-run programs can support neighborhood confidence rather than undermine it. In some cases, these changes have coincided with stronger local investment and a more positive community outlook.
When interim or homeless shelter sites are well managed, with controlled access, 24-hour staffing, and coordination among service providers and law enforcement, crime does not increase. In fact, a UCLA study of Los Angeles County found that neighborhoods with added homeless housing saw declines in both overall and homeless-related crime, as well as fewer encampments and modest increases in nearby housing values
Sources:
A-Mark Foundation. (2023, July 25). What Is the Impact of Low-Income Housing on Property Values? https://bit.ly/3WzaOHZ
Pallet Shelter. (2023). Housing as Public Safety https://bit.ly/3KLigNM
Partnership for the Bay’s Future (2022). Emergency Interim Housing Report https://bit.ly/48tJ27g
Cohen, E. (2019). The Effects of Designated Homeless Housing Sites on Local Communities: Evidence from Los Angeles County. https://bit.ly/3J6uD6u
Accountability
How will success be measured?
Success will be measured by the number of residents who transition into permanent housing. The City and County will also monitor improvements in resident health, stability, and participation in supportive services. Progress will be reported publicly on the City’s project website that you can subscribe to for automatic updates, and via the City’s Homelessness and Housing website, and E-Newsletter to ensure transparency and accountability.
Who do I call if I have a concern about the site?
Community members may contact the City of San Rafael’s Community Services Division during business hours by emailing endhomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org or by calling (415) 256-5565. If there is an urgent safety concern, the San Rafael Police Department and the SAFE mobile mental health crisis team can be reached by calling 911.
Community Integration & Timeline
What is the timeline leading to this Interim Shelter site?
In 2021, the City of San Rafael established the Service Support Area (SSA) to provide a safer, managed space for people experiencing homelessness. The SSA included basic services such as sanitation, outreach, and limited shelter support. Over time, the site successfully housed 35 of the 58 individuals who participated in the program — approximately 60% of participants.
Between 2023 and 2024, building on lessons from the SSA, the City and County opened the Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA) along the Mahon Creek Path. This provided a secure, organized environment with tents, 24/7 staffing, security, and case management. The SCA created a bridge between unmanaged encampments and more stable housing-focused programs. Since outreach began in late 2023 at the Mahon Creek Path, 24% of participants have moved into permanent housing. Within the SCA itself, which started in October 2024, 12% of residents to-date have achieved permanent housing placements.
Looking ahead, site preparation and installation of private cabins will begin in early 2026. The first residents are expected to move in by Spring 2026.
Why was this site chosen?
For over two years, the City has been searching for a viable site to create an interim shelter program. After this search, 350 Merrydale Road was selected because it is flat, accessible to transit and services, large enough for cabins and shared facilities, within the budget for the City and County, and can later be redeveloped into permanent affordable housing, available to anyone.
Long-Term Housing Goal
Beyond the time-limited funds available to operate the interim shelter site, the City’s has committed to entitling 350 Merrydale Road for 80 units of much needed affordable housing. The City plans to initiate this effort later this year and will partner with an affordable housing developer to bring these permanent homes to our community.
Can community members get involved or volunteer?
Yes. Residents and businesses are encouraged to be part of the solution. Opportunities may include donation drives, service projects, and volunteering with nonprofit partners. To learn more or express interest, email EndHomelessness@cityofsanrafael.org and City staff will connect you with appropriate opportunities.
General Project / Operations
What will happen at this location after the program ends?
Following the closure of the interim shelter program, the City will work with an affordable housing developer to develop the property into affordable housing.
Will people be able to come from outside San Rafael or Marin County?
No.
How will people be selected to live in the interim shelter site?
Priority placement in the program be given in this order; (1) current Sanctioned Camping Area participants, (2) Andersen Road Encampment, and (3) other encampments in the City of San Rafael.
Funding and Cost
How much will this project cost and who is paying for it?
Project Costs include:
- Land Acquisition: $7.3M
- Site and Program Setup; $1.6M
- Annual Operating Cost: $2.0M
The partnership is made possible through the “braiding” of funding streams provided by the City and County’s State Encampment Resolution Fund – Round 3 Grant, the County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and local sources provided by the City and County. Future years of operation will be made possible through fundraising and philanthropic donations.
Will the project raise taxes or take funding away from other programs?
No, this program will not raise taxes, nor take funding away from other programs.
What happens if costs go over budget? Who picks up the tab?
The City and County agree to evenly split operating costs, based off a mutually developed annual budget, through June 30, 2027. Costs above this budgeted amount will be split 75% City/25% County.
Safety, Security, and Community Impact
What is the “Good Neighbor Policy” and how does it work?
The Good Neighbor Policy is a shared commitment between the City of San Rafael, the site operator, and program participants to ensure the Interim Shelter Program operates safely, respectfully, and transparently. Its purpose is to maintain open communication, address concerns quickly, and promote positive relationships between program residents and neighbors.
How will site rules be enforced?
All residents at the Interim Shelter site must agree to follow a clear set of rules designed to keep the community safe, respectful, and orderly. These rules cover expectations such as maintaining cleanliness, respecting others’ privacy, following quiet hours, and prohibiting violence, threats, or illegal activity.
The site will be managed by a professional operator with staff on-site 24/7 who are trained in de-escalation, conflict resolution, and trauma-informed care. When a rule is broken, staff first work with the individual to resolve the issue through conversation and supportive intervention. The goal is to help residents succeed and remain housed whenever possible.
For repeated or serious violations, the operator may impose graduated consequences — such as written warnings, mediation, or, in rare cases, removal from the program. The City monitors operations to ensure rules are enforced fairly and consistently, balancing accountability with compassion to maintain a safe and stable environment for everyone.
Affordable Housing Future
Will the interim shelter residents have priority for the future affordable housing?
The City will evaluate whether interim shelter residents may have a priority for the future affordable housing consistent with applicable federal and state laws, as well as any financing requirements.
Community Engagement
How can nearby residents and businesses stay informed?
Nearby residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the City’s website for the project and to subscribe to the Homelessness and Housing Newsletter for updates on the program. They can also direct any questions or concerns to EndHomelessness@Cityofsanrafael.org.
Will there be public meetings or opportunities for input?
Yes, the City is planning a virtual community meeting on this project for October 28, 2025. Information on the meeting can be found on the City’s Website.
Who is responsible for overseeing the project?
The City is responsible for overseeing the project and will continue to work closely with the County who will be the lead on providing all case management and wrap around services.
What happens if problems arise at the site?
The City of San Rafael takes community safety and program accountability very seriously. If issues arise at the Interim Shelter site, they are addressed promptly through coordinated management and oversight. The site will be professionally operated by an experienced service provider with staff on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff are trained in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care to ensure concerns are handled quickly and appropriately. The goal is to maintain a safe, well-managed environment that supports both residents’ stability and neighborhood well-being.