Editorial: Key questions remain, but at least Marin homeless numbers are falling

A decrease in the number of homeless people counted on our streets, parks and open spaces is promising.

While the numbers of those who could be found and counted dropped by 2.8%, the 1,090 who were counted in the January assessment and their encampments are human evidence that more needs to be done to further reduce their numbers.

The federally required biennial countywide count shows Marin’s numbers are headed in the right direction.

But the numbers are typically fluid, with some homeless moving to Marin and others leaving the county.

Marin’s 2024 count also includes adding 84 people living in substandard housing in western Marin. Most of those people are living in an emergency trailer park after being moved from unhealthy housing conditions at a ranch near Bolinas.

The county’s “buy-back” program of purchasing illegally anchored boats in Richardson Bay or those RVs that have lined Binford Road over the past few years may be making a difference. In order to participate, those selling their vehicles have to show they have some place to move to.

Work by counselors who help the homeless in what little affordable housing exists across the county is also making a difference.

Both will be important to continue as construction of more housing for the homeless is completed and becomes available.

Both are vital. Jurisdictions need to make sure that tax dollars spent on these programs and projects are being maximized in terms of truly making a difference.

Still, there remains a justifiable concern over encampments, not only for the health, safety and security of its residents, but for neighbors, residents and businesses, and the public. Recent complaints about conflicts are a sign that both sides of this crisis – the homeless and the residents and workers that they have set up camp near – need to be good neighbors, recognizing and respecting the plight of being homeless, difficulties posed for nearby businesses and infringements on others and their use of parks and spaces.

Federal court rulings have sided with the homeless, deciding that unless jurisdictions can show that affordable housing is available, they cannot enforce anti-camping rules to force them out. Even moving encampments has been legally challenging. Just ask San Rafael city officials and those living in tents along Mahon Creek.

The county’s “Housing First” strategy closed all but San Rafael’s Mill Street emergency shelter, meaning that campers have to wait for housing to become available.

Homelessness is not a short-term challenge. It’s not new to Marin, but in recent years it has become more visible as encampments have taken form in San Rafael, Novato and Sausalito.

It wasn’t that long ago that a county grand jury investigated the issue and referred to Marin’s homeless as significant, but largely “invisible.”

An important statistic from January’s count is a reduction in those defined as chronically homeless, people who have been homeless for a year or longer and have a disabling condition that prevents them from maintaining housing.

Getting them off the streets, out of nylon tents and into permanent safe housing is a big accomplishment. Keeping them there is also huge.

There are several homeless housing projects underway. Within months, they should become available. Getting people into safe, secure, stable and healthy living conditions is seen as a significant step in reversing the cycle of homelessness.

In recent interviews with those living in local encampments, that’s what they want.

The 2024 count is an indication of progress and that there is still a lot that needs to be done to get the homeless out of encampments and into permanent housing.