Anticipated 2023 opening of Larkspur property to address homelessness

Courtesy of Marin County

In February, the County of Marin was awarded $15,497,200 in Project Homekey funding to support the creation of 43 permanent supportive homes for people experiencing chronic homelessness. On May 10, the Board of Supervisors approved three agreements governing the use of the grant funds and operations for the site at 1251 South Eliseo Drive in Larkspur.

The funds will support the acquisition, rehabilitation, and operation of a former skilled nursing facility. It will be owned and operated by Episcopal Community Services (ECS) in partnership with the County of Marin.

Addressing homelessness has been an urgent priority for the Supervisors, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), other local governments and partnering agencies. The Larkspur property represents an opportunity to revitalize an underutilized parcel and serve vulnerable Marin residents experiencing homelessness through evidence-based interventions.

“Episcopal Community Services is a welcome addition to our coordinated system of care here in Marin County,” said Gary Naja-Riese, Director of Homelessness and Whole Person Care for Marin HHS. “I look forward to the deep history they bring in supportive housing and direct work with unhoused individuals. This partnership with the County will create a place to call home and ensure needed services for 43 disabled Marin residents experiencing homelessness.”

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The agreements include:

• details about the County’s contribution to the costs of construction and renovation;
• conditions and requirements on the property deed, such as tenant protections, rent limits, and a requirement that the building be used to provide permanent supportive housing for 43 low-income individuals;
• preliminary operational requirements for ECS operations at the site. This initial draft is based upon activities and outcomes from the original Homekey application and will include some of the basic expectations for site operation and compliance with HHS Division of Homelessness & Whole Person Care operations standards. Closer to the opening date, the County and ECS will amend the Operating Agreement to include a more detailed Scope of Work with information about additional clinical support for clients and the Community Services Safety team.

Since the funding was awarded, the County and ECS have made considerable progress in assembling and convening the Community Advisory Group (CAG). The CAG is tasked with communicating the views, concerns, suggestions, and voices of a broad spectrum of community stakeholders to the County and ECS as the project moves forward. The feedback will help provide input on program design, public safety, and community relations, which will be critical to the success of the project.

“The CAG is up and running and includes residents and neighbors from Kentfield, Greenbrae, and Larkspur,” said Supervisor Katie Rice, the Board President who represents constituents near the South Eliseo location. “I look forward to supporting their work with the project team to address issues of concern raised by community members, and toward ensuring South Eliseo a success for all involved.”

Eighteen CAG members have been appointed, including at-large community members, representatives from the Kentfield School District, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the Central Marin Police Authority, the City of Larkspur, and Marin County Parks. At least one individual with lived experience of homelessness will be added. The members of the CAG have formed three subcommittees — Communications, Program Design and Public Safety — each of which will meet monthly and be attended by CAG members as well as County and ECS representatives

Additional information about the project, including a list of frequently asked questions, can be found at www.1251seliseo.com. The site also allows anyone interested to sign up for the recently launched project newsletter and submit comments or questions.

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