Marin Launches Keep People Housed, a $3 Million Push to Stop Homelessness Before It Starts

Marin County has launched Keep People Housed Marin, a two-year program meant to catch residents before a money or personal crisis pushes them out of their homes.

The program is led by the county Health and Human Services department's Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care, working with Bay Area Community Services, which runs it day to day, and the regional nonprofit All Home. It offers targeted financial assistance plus individual support to people who are still housed but at high risk of losing that housing.

"Marin has a strong system that helps people move from homelessness into housing. We also need to reduce the number of people who become homeless," Lisa Warhuus, assistant county executive and HHS director, said in the county's announcement, as reported by Patch.

Who it is for

Help is not first-come, first-served. The program ranks applicants by vulnerability, and meeting basic eligibility does not guarantee money. Households facing imminent eviction, large rent debts, a past episode of homelessness or other serious instability may qualify, and families with children and people with disabling conditions are among the groups it is designed to serve.

A July 14 staff report to the Board of Supervisors describes the menu of services: flexible financial assistance, housing stabilization services, landlord engagement, legal referrals and connections to other supportive programs.

The money

Supervisors approved a contract with Bay Area Community Services worth up to $742,000 for fiscal years 2026 to 2028. According to the staff report, the county set aside $1 million for targeted prevention, and combined with funds administered through All Home the program's total budget is about $3 million over the two years. Patch reported that the Marin Community Foundation, the county and All Home each put in $1 million through Marin's Affordable Housing and Homelessness Initiative.

Bay Area Community Services plans to serve at least 170 households a year. Residents can learn more and apply through the Keep People Housed Marin website.