Homelessness
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Housing and Homeless Programs
San Rafael, CA 94901
March 2024 Newsletter Update
The results of the needs assessment survey conducted in San Rafael's largest encampments are now available online for public access. City staff are incredibly grateful to all who participated in the survey and those who contributed to this vital effort. Your input has been and will continue to be instrumental in shaping our approach to addressing homelessness in San Rafael.
To access the full survey results and learn more about the ongoing efforts to support San Rafael’s homeless population, please visit the link below. Included in the results document are links to both the English and Spanish translation of the survey tool used.
February 2024 Newsletter Update
In December 2023, the City partnered with local service providers to conduct a needs assessment survey in San Rafael’s largest encampments. The survey teams compiled 60 responses, representing more than 80% of the individuals in the Mahon Creek area encampment.
The results documented the important fact that people experiencing homelessness in San Rafael are long-term residents of the City. 66% of respondents have lived in San Rafael for more than five years, with 35% living in the city more than 20 years, and 31% between 5-20 years. Only about 12% (7 of 60) arrived in the City in the last year. Read more here...
Supporting San Rafael's Unhoused Community
The City of San Rafael remains committed to protecting the health and safety of community members and employees, while also striving to deliver public services to the greatest extent possible. The City does not directly provide homeless services or programming, but we partner closely with the County of Marin and local service providers to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to the resources they need. For the latest updates on what's available in our community, please visit this page.
Homelessness in San Rafael
The City of San Rafael has been a leader in Marin County on addressing homelessness. Between 2017 and 2019, San Rafael saw a 30% decline in unsheltered homelessness, and countywide there was a 28% decline in long-term, chronic homelessness. This page provides an overview of the various programs, partners, and strategies the City supports.
If you've been sleeping on the streets or in your car for two weeks or longer, individuals please call the Coordinated Entry help line at 415-473-4663, and families please call Homeward Bound of Marin at 415-457-2115. Additionally, please note that the City of San Rafael has adopted a variety of renter protection policies to help prevent homelessness in the first place. You can learn more here.
Ending chronic homelessness in Marin