Interim Shelter Site
at 350 Merrydale Road
Share your thoughts at the upcoming community engagement session on December 9th from 6-7:30pm at the Venetia Valley School.
The City of San Rafael and the County of Marin are partnering on two projects at 350 Merrydale Road – providing short term interim housing through a tiny home community, then establishing permanent affordable housing units in the long term.
The short-term interim shelter program will last approximately 3-4 years, and will end no later than June 2029. This project builds on prior successful programs, including the City’s Service Support Area (SSA) and Mahon Creek Path Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA), while also drawing from proven best practices in other California communities. The goal is to provide safe, stable housing with on-site support services for those currently residing at the Mahon Creek Path sanctioned camping area and living in nearby encampments. By offering a dignified place to live and access to support, the site will help residents stabilize and successfully transition into permanent housing.
The long-term project establishes a minimum of 80 units of deed restricted affordable housing.
About the Project
The Interim Shelter Site is intended to serve people already experiencing homelessness in San Rafael. The City will review eligibility to make sure the program prioritizes individuals currently staying at the Sanctioned Camping Area (SCA), along Andersen Drive, and in other San Rafael encampments. Each participant 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, and 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.
Community Engagement
The City is committed to an ongoing and transparent public process that ensures community feedback is acknowledged, responded to, and integrated into the project’s design and operations.
Past Engagement Efforts
- The pending purchase and proposed land uses for the site, were publicly announced on October 15, 2025, after real-estate negotiations were finalized and a programmatic Tentative Agreement between the City and County was reached. Real-estate discussions were held in closed session, consistent with State law to protect the public’s financial interest. Early disclosure can cause sellers to increase prices or withdraw properties.
- A virtual community meeting was held on October 28th to provide an overview of the interim shelter program, share details about site operations, and answer questions from residents.
- An in-person, publicly noticed, community open house was held on November 6th, offering an opportunity for residents to provide their feedback directly to the Mayor and City Councilmembers, and for residents to engage with staff, service providers, and project partners to answer specific questions and discuss concerns.
- To ensure that residents and businesses who live and work in close proximity to the site are aware of these opportunities, city staff conducted door-to-door outreach in the surrounding neighborhood, distributing informational flyers and speaking directly with households and business owners.
On November 17, the City Council voted to approve staff’s recommendation to purchase the property at 350 Merrydale and to approve a City-County funding agreement. The City Manager is thus authorized to work with the County to develop an operations plan and a Good Neighbor Policy, shaped by additional community feedback. Work to establish the shelter is formally underway and staff are developing a preliminary interim shelter site plan. The City and County will continue holding community meetings to follow up on the input received thus far.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
The next community engagement session will be facilitated by the City on December 9 at Venetia Valley School from 6:00PM to 7:30PM. During this meeting, we will receive feedback from residents on the updated Good Neighbor Policy and the site’s preliminary design.
A subsequent community engagement session is planned for January 14, 2026.
Stay Informed
Updates will be posted to the City website. Click here to subscribe to receive project updates by email.