Marin County Grand Jury • 2024-2025

“The Coming Wave of Older Adults - Is Marin Prepared?” reconfirmed that very-low, low, and moderate income housing

Published: June 21, 2024 33 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings

F1
Adults aged 60 and above are a large and expanding population in Marin and are at increasing risk of falling into homelessness.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The lack of a mandate for aging equity by the Marin County Board of Supervisors results in the County not prioritizing the needs of adults aged 60 and above who are homeless or at risk of falling into homelessness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should create and issue a mandate for aging equity, similar to the vitally-important mandate for racial equity, thereby requiring the Area Agency on Aging, as well as other departments, to prioritize aging equity in any strategic plan.
F3
The primary cause of homelessness in Marin is the lack of affordable housing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Community Development Agency to promote affordable housing options, including shared housing and rent subsidies.
F4
The County has not developed a long-range strategy to prevent adults aged 60 and above from falling into homelessness.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Office of the County Executive to develop and fund a strategic plan for homelessness prevention as recommended by the federal Department of Health and Human Services in its October 2023 report.
R8
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should begin issuing quarterly public reports on the status of the strategic plan for homelessness prevention for older adults.
F5
The lack of a systematic approach designed to prevent adults aged 60 and above from losing their housing results in these adults falling into homelessness.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The County lacks a strategic plan that identifies the county agency that is responsible for homelessness prevention for adults aged 60 and above.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Community Development Agency to be the lead county agency in addressing the steps and actions necessary to prevent adults aged 60 and above from falling into homelessness, including coordination with community-based and private organizations.
F7
The County Area Agency on Aging is not appropriately positioned or resourced to meet its federal mandate to function as the leading planner, administrator, and funder of services across a broad spectrum of focus areas for adults aged 60 and above.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The County has not diligently pursued existing governmental and private funding opportunities designated for homelessness prevention programs and services for adults aged 60 and above.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
The County has not undertaken a cost-benefit analysis to determine the relative cost of investing in measures to prevent homelessness versus investing in services for people who are already homeless.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
The lack of a standardized assessment tool to identify, quantify, and characterize residents who are on the brink of homelessness prevents the County from providing them with urgently needed services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Community Development Agency to implement an assessment tool that is specific to adults aged 60 and above who are housed and on the brink of homelessness.
F11
The County has failed to implement “Doorway,” a universal waitlist portal, to identify adults aged 60 and above in need of housing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Community Development Agency to provide ongoing support to ensure full implementation of the “Doorway” universal waitlist portal.
F12
The County has not implemented a system to match residents who have available rooms or housing units, including Accessory Dwelling Units, with adults aged 60 and above who need housing.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The County does not have an effective shallow rents program in place to prevent adults aged 60 and above from falling into homelessness.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The County has not effectively educated adults aged 60 and above about the programs, resources, and services available to address homelessness and homelessness prevention.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Marin County Board of Supervisors should direct the Public Communications Division to develop a public education and communication plan to educate older adult residents of Marin County about the programs, resources, and services available to address homelessness and homelessness prevention. The Grand Jury recommends that by December 31, 2025:

Conclusions 1