Tiny Homes To Replace Tents For Unsheltered In Marin Co.

SAN RAFAEL, CA — While 50 unhoused people in tents endured the rain in San Rafael's sanctioned encampment area on Monday night, the city set in place the operations management for their future tiny cabin homes.

The San Rafael City Council approved operations management for a temporary tiny cabin project at 350 Merrydale Road, which will house about 70 unhoused residents. The council voted to expand its agreement with Foege Schumann Global Disaster Solutions LLC, the same company that manages the sanctioned encampment along the Mahon Creek path. The company will oversee installation of the modular cabins and provide security, site management and maintenance.

FS Global knows the residents of the Mahon Creek site, who are the same people that will transition into tiny cabins beginning July. The 65 private, lockable cabins at the Merrydale site will have electricity, heating and personal storage for up to 70 people. Shared facilities include a kitchen, laundry, bathrooms and showers. They will continue to receive the same health and social services they have been getting at the Mahon Creek site.

“On a night like this, where it's dumping rain all night, having brick and mortar for folks with heating and air conditioning for the summer, shows better results in terms of quality of life,” said Daniel Cooperman, San Rafael's community services division director in his presentation to the council.

FS Global's current contract will be extended through June 30, 2028 and amended for an additional $2.5 million for a total contract amount of $3.8 million. In addition to funds from the county, Cooperman said the contract will be funded by the second phase of the city's Encampment Resolution Funding Program grant.

Issued by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, ERF grants are intended to transition people out of tents and encampment-like areas and into interim housing. The fund requires a “housing first” framework, which means shelter is provided regardless of an unhoused person's physical condition, including addiction, and services are provided after people are sheltered.

The Mahon Creek sanctioned camping area was built in 2024 as part of a $6 million ERF grant, some of which will help fund the new interim housing project. It was the city's solution that followed a long saga involving a ban on camping at various public parks and a legal dispute. Cooperman said that 100% of the Mahon Creek residents receive case management, 53 individuals have secured benefits and increased income, and seven individuals have exited to permanent housing.

According to Cooperman, the total price tag for the interim housing project on Merrydale Road is about $12.5 million. Marin County is providing $8 million for the city to purchase the land from the city and set up the program to operate for two years.

If additional funds are raised, the interim site could run for another year, but it must close by June 30, 2029. By that time, the city is required by the county to have permitted an affordable housing development with at least 80 units for people making less than 80% of area median income.

On March 27, a new round of ERF grants was announced, making $93 million available to local governments. Assistant City Manager John Stefanski said the city is applying for funds that could be available for rental assistance, should anyone remain on the Merrydale site after it closes.

Also in March, the city held a developer workshop as part of a request for proposals to build permanent affordable housing on the site after the interim housing project closes.

Ruth Dusseault, Bay City News
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