Marin County’s homeless population has increased in the last year.
That’s where the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan comes in.
The plan is a multi-pronged proposal intended to alleviate the economic and social issues caused by the pandemic.
As part of this plan, the federal government will be providing as much as $2 million to assist with the rising number of unhoused individuals living in cities such as San Rafael and Novato.
The funds are expected to be approved by Marin County supervisors next week and will most likely be used to hire eight new caseworkers to help members of the unhoused population transition from streets and parks into more permanent housing.
Some are a bit skeptical if that’s the best possible use of the funding.
"It has to be about housing, it has to be about safety in the present," said Robbie Paulson, a North Bay homeless advocate. The county’s top priority should be getting people housed while being respectful of people’s rights, he added.
Keeping that in mind, the county is also initiating a pilot safe camping area for unhoused residents to pitch their tents, sleep and store their belongings in Novato.
