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
- Marin IJ: Tiny home villages could be tool to address homelessness
February 15, 2026Marin County, homelessness, Homelessness - County of Marin: County conducts 2026 homelessness count
January 28, 2026Marin County Unincorporated, homelessness, Homelessness - Marin IJ: Permanent supportive housing programs in Marin are under threat
January 19, 2026Marin County Unincorporated, homelessness, Homelessness - Marin IJ: San Rafael residents learn more about 350 Merrydale Rd project
December 10, 2025San Rafael, 350 Merrydale Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Policy - Marin IJ: Marin needs extra shelter space during winter months for homeless individuals
December 9, 2025San Rafael, Homelessness, Policy - Marin IJ: Marin is at risk of losing millions of dollars in funds for rental assistance and homelessness support
November 27, 2025California, Homelessness, Housing News, Policy
Policy Advocacy
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Public Comment: Marin County Board of Supervisors special budget meeting
On February 23-25, 2026 the Board of Supervisors held a three day special meeting workshop to discuss the upcoming budget. Call Marin Home Program Manager Lizzy Stahl gave public comment at the February 24, 2026 meeting. Her talking points and notes are below. Marin County Board of Supervisors public comment talking points – February 24,…
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Public Comment in support of Oak Hill at 12/9 Board of Supervisors meeting
On December 9, 2025 Executive Director Jenny Silva and Housing Specialist Carmela Davis spoke in support of the Oak Hill project. At this Board of Supervisors meeting, the agenda item was to consider approving the Oak Hill guarantor plans and approving additional requested funds. We advocated for the approval of both. At the end of…
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MEHC letter of support for SB 79
On August 28, 2025 MEHC sent a letter of support to Assemblymember Connolly in regards to SB 79. You can read it below. The Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC) urges you to vote yes on SB 79. SB 79 is a commonsense step to supporting our transit and solving our housing crisis. Marin County has…
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Action Alert to support affordable housing and anti-displacement funds at the Board of Supervisors budget meeting
On May 16th and 18th, MEHC sent Action Alerts to encourage public comment at the 2026 Marin County budget hearings. You can view it below: We want to make a case for being as generous as possible for all 3 P’s of affordable housing – production, preservation and protection. Affordable housing is listed as a…
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MEHC endorsement letter for 930 Irwin Street
On May 5, 2025 MEHC formally endorsed the 930 Irwin Street project in San Rafael. Below you can read the letter sent to the San Rafael Planning Commission. Dear San Rafael Planning Commissioners, The Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative (MEHC) urges the San Rafael Planning Commission to approve the 930 Irwin housing project. This project places…