Thank you for all of your tireless efforts during the past weeks and months. Today it was learned that the State awarded the County the funds for the Project Homekey site at 1251 S Eliseo. However, the fight is not over! The Board of Supervisors has to vote to accept those funds and that vote happens on Tuesday the 15th at 9am.  We must show up in force and echo what we have been communicating all along: this this is not the right location for this project!

 

Here is the information:

 

➢ Tuesday, Feb 15th @ 9am
➢ Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Dr, San Rafael, Room 330
➢ Wear RED
➢ Make and bring a No on Project Homekey sign if you can
➢ Come prepared to comment. If they limit public comment to a shorter period be prepared to abbreviate and end statements with urging the Board of Supervisors to Vote NO.
 

Please SHARE and RSVP so we can track attendance numbers: Board of Supervisors Meeting @ Civic Center Room 330 | Community Opposition (friendsofsaferoutes.com)

 

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Dear Neighbors,

On September 21, 2021, the County informed the community via press release regarding the potential "Project Homekey" site. https://www.marincounty.org/main/county-press-releases/press-releases/2021/hhs-homekeylarkspur-092121  On October 13, 2021, Marin County applied for “Homekey” funds for 1251 S. Eliseo Dr, Greenbrae, CA 94904 for a permanent facility for 43-50 single adult chronically homeless people https://housingfirst.marinhhs.org/homekey  Approval and ratification are expected per the county in December 2021.  Per https://www.1251seliseo.com/faqs The application will be submitted in early November and HCD will complete their review in roughly 45 days. If awarded, the County should be notified mid-to-late December.

Katie Rice provided an update December 6, 2021.  Specifically: we anticipate hearing from the State in late December/early January whether the Eliseo Site is awarded a Homekey grant. If awarded, a hearing of the Board of Supervisors (BOS) will be scheduled in late January in order to formally approve acceptance of the grant.  The full bulletin link: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAMARIN/bulletins/2ff9a59

The proposed site is directly on a Kentfield School District designated “Safe Route,” near Hal Brown park (where children of all ages gather), and near MULTIPLE schools: Bacich Elementary School, Marin Catholic High School, Hall Middle School, Kent Middle School, and other Preschools.  

Many in the community are feeling blind-sided and misled. Please reference the largely one-sided supportive "Project Homekey" website for more details on why to oppose this site https://www.1251seliseo.com/faqs  The signers of this petition support finding solutions for the homeless, but feel another location is more appropriate for a number of reasons.  The residents do not need to be residents of Marin County before homelessness (an estimated 15% to 30%).  Although technically illegal drugs are not allowed on-site there is no requirement or focus on sobriety.  Nearby areas are likely to see people using drugs.  "Project Homekey" acknowledges "residents will have long histories of homelessness, it is expected that some issues will arise as they adjust to their homes".  While it is mentioned there will be some “presence” onsite this “presence” could easily be overwhelmed and does little to stave off issues that arise off-site.   Given the location, "Project Homekey" is aware the area would be beneficial for families.   Why not wait to find the best site to address homeless families?  Also, non-lifetime sex offenders will be able to be residents, since per "Project Homekey" "lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program from being admitted to the program".  The majority, 66% of residents are unemployed and there is no work requirement.

Firsthand accounts from people who have worked at similar facilities contain credible reports of inviting friends to crash at their rooms, overdosing, assaults, regular police visits, using drugs, and loitering nearby.  All valid concerns for the residential neighborhood. 

The community would like to work with "Project Homekey" and Marin County to understand what other sites were proposed.  However, members in the community feel their concerns are not being heard/addressed at the informational meetings and when they reach out to the Board Supervisors. The rapid rushed and forced decision is alarming and this article shows a few issues with the approach https://cbsloc.al/2ZNGYWF some quotes: “This is a much, much faster timeline than we would ever want to do on a project,” … “The timelines of this project have made us do business a little bit differently from how we generally would. We submitted the application without having done that due diligence with the understanding, even with the state, that that due diligence would happen after the fact,” Ashley Hart-McIntyre, Homelessness Policy Analyst for Marin County said. For something that will permanently alter the character of an entire neighborhood, this undemocratic approach is simply unacceptable.

We recognize the need for solutions and the challenges the homeless face in California and empathize with the plight of our fellow human beings in dire straits.  We ask that you sign and share this petition to object to this highly inappropriate site selection and preserve our community.   

For reference, attached is a map that helps illustrate the situation.

Your involvement makes a difference!

Let our elected Board of Supervisors: Katie Rice, Damon Connolly, Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Dennis Rodoni (Board President), and Judy Arnold know we respectfully and peacefully oppose the location of 1251 S Eliseo Dr to become a permanent homeless facility. 

Damon Connolly, dconnolly@marincounty.org, (415) 473-7331

Katie Rice, krice@marincounty.org, (415) 473-7331

Dennis Rodoni, drodoni@marincounty.org, (415) 473-7331

Judy Arnold, jarnold@marincounty.org, (415) 473-7331

Stephanie Moulton-Peters, smoultonpeters@marincounty.org, (415) 473-7331

If you prefer calling or postal mailing, here is the information.

Board of Supervisors
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 329
San Rafael, CA 94903

Phone: (415) 473-7331
Fax: (415) 473-3645
TTY: (415) 473-6172

Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

https://www.marincounty.org/depts/bs/contact-us