Information on Homelessness in Marin County

COVID is exacerbating poverty and many individuals and families in Marin County are facing increasingly harder times. Economic instability, rising fuel, food and rental costs, and chronic health concerns are pushing more people into poverty and many people are living on the streets, in vehicles, or in the hills around our county.

Marin County Point-in-Time Count 2019.

Every two years in January, communities across the country conduct comprehensive one-day counts of their homeless population to gain a better understanding of the individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness. This “Point-in-Time Count” also enables them to apply for Federal funding for local homeless programs. Marin County’s last count was conducted on January 28, 2019.

Here’s what we learned:

2019 Sheltered / Unsheltered Population (1034 individuals):

32% (326) Sheltered / 68% (708) Unsheltered

Subpopulation Data:

Chronically Homeless Individuals (257 individuals): 33% Sheltered / 67% Unsheltered
Veterans (99 Individuals): 33% Sheltered / 67% Unsheltered
Families (54 Familes with 147 Members): 88% Sheltered / 12% Unsheltered
Unaccompanied Children (8 Individuals): 0% Sheltered / 100% Unsheltered
Transition-Age Youth (99 Individuals): 6% Sheltered / 94% Unsheltered
Older Adults (320 Individuals): 34% Sheltered / 66% Unsheltered

Primary Event or Condition That Led to Homelessness:

49% Economic Issues
36% Personal Relationship Issues
16% Mental Health Issues
14% Substance Use Issues
11% Physical Health Issues
7% experiencing domestic violence

Services Requested:

42% Housing Placement Assistance
38% Free Meals
38% Bus Passes
34% Emergency Shelter
33% Day Services
32% Legal Assistance

Note: Marin did not conduct a full Point-in-Time Count in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. However, as one step in determining the extent of new homelessness, Marin did a no-contact count of people living in cars and RVs. For the full report, please view the Marin County Point in Time Count and Vehicle Survey here.

MARIN COUNTY 2019 POINT IN TIME COUNT