Marin Launches a $3 Million Push to Catch Renters Before They Lose Their Homes

Marin County has started a two-year program meant to keep struggling residents in their homes instead of helping them only after they end up on the street. The effort, called Keep People Housed Marin, was announced Friday by the county's Health and Human Services department, according to Patch.

The program is run by the county's Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care together with Bay Area Community Services, the Oakland-based nonprofit that will operate it day to day, and All Home, a regional group that works on homelessness. It offers targeted financial help and one-on-one support to people who still have housing but are at serious risk of losing it.

Who gets help first

Unlike many rent relief programs, this one does not work on a first-come, first-served basis. Households are ranked by how vulnerable they are. People facing an imminent eviction, large amounts of unpaid rent, a past episode of homelessness or other serious instability may qualify, and the county said families with children and people with disabling conditions are among those it is designed to reach. Meeting the basic eligibility rules does not guarantee a payment.

"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," Dr. Lisa Warhuus, assistant county executive and HHS director, said in the announcement.

Where the money comes from

The Marin Community Foundation, the county and All Home each put in $1 million, and with other county resources the total comes to about $3 million over two years, Patch reported. A county staff report approved by supervisors on July 14 shows the county's own contract with Bay Area Community Services is capped at $742,000, with funding handled by All Home bringing the program's overall budget to roughly $3 million.

Beyond cash assistance, the staff report says the program covers housing stabilization services, outreach to landlords, legal referrals and links to other support services. The goal, according to the report, is to reduce the number of people who fall into homelessness in the first place.

Bay Area Community Services plans to serve at least 170 households each year. Residents can find eligibility details and apply through the Keep People Housed Marin website.