Help Desk Eligibility
To be eligible for services through our Help Desk, an individual must be currently experiencing homelessness in Marin County and is required to complete a Help Desk intake appointment with one of our staff members. Help Desk staff will assist individuals and families to receive support through several SVdP programs, including: Homeless Diversion and Rapid Rehousing programs, CalWORKs, Coordinated Entry and the Women’s Prop 47 House.
The following describes specific services and related documents needed to expedite your service delivery:
Transportation Services
- DMV ID Voucher
- License fee payment
- Bus Tickets
- Vehicle Registration, documentation needed (valid driver’s license and insurance)
- Insurance Payment, documentation needed (valid driver’s license and registration)
- Car Repair, documentation needed (valid driver’s license, registration, insurance, estimate from repair service)
Housing Services
- VI-SPDAT’s assessment interview for single adults and families to assess level of need
- Assistance to return to previous residence or relocate outside of the area, documentation needed (ID for transportation purposes, verbal and written agreement from the family member, friend, or loved one with whom client will be residing)
- Security deposit and/or 1st month’s rent, documentation needed (lease agreement, proof of income, previous 2-3 months of bank statements, completed budget prepared with assistance from Help Desk staff member
Clothing Services
- Goodwill Vouchers
- Referral to Bloom
- Purchase of uniform, specialized shoes, or required clothing items for clients who are newly employed
Quick links to other low-income and homeless related services:
- Ritter Center
Healthcare, day services and support for homeless people - Homeward Bound of Marin
Individual and family resources for emergency, temporary, and transitional housing and support in Marin - Buckelew Programs
Services and housing to increase the self-sufficiency and enhancing the quality of life for adults with mental illness in Marin, Napa and Sonoma - County of Marin Housing Authority
Assistance to secure and maintain high quality, affordable housing for low and moderate-income residents of Marin - Gilead House
Located in Novato, California, Gilead House is a residential home that houses up to six families. Each family receives a private bedroom, bathroom, and closet. - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
This is a first point of contact if you are homeless or at imminent danger of becoming homeless. The center provides resources, counseling, intake for shelters, and other services for those in need. It also has showers, laundry, telephone, and mail services for your use. - Canal Alliance
Services, education and legal resources for low-income Spanish speaking immigrants in Marin.
If you are sleeping outside, in a car or on someone’s couch in Marin, we encourage you to visit our Housing Help Desk. We understand that this is a very high-risk situation than can quickly get worse without help.
How can we help you?
Right Now
We can provide you with some basic items (blanket, clean socks, toiletries) and may provide limited financial aid for critical needs. We can try to place you in temporary shelter programs, or come up with other temporary solutions.
Into the Future
We can assess your barriers to housing and create a personal housing plan that will allow us to work with you to remove those barriers and find a place to live. Once suitable housing is located, we may be able to help with some of the initial expenses and support you through the transition back into housing.
What should I do to get help?
We welcome you to visit our Housing Help Desk Monday – Friday to see how we can help you. Spanish-speaking volunteers are available. The Housing Help Desk is located above our Free Dining Room at 822 B Street in San Rafael. Sign-ups begin at 10:45 am each day. Please sign-in at the counter when you arrive. People are seen on a “first come, first served” basis. Appointments are also available upon request.
Quick links to other low-income and homeless related services:
- Ritter Center
Healthcare, day services and support for homeless people - Homeward Bound of Marin
Individual and family resources for emergency, temporary, and transitional housing and support in Marin - Buckelew Programs
Services and housing to increase the self-sufficiency and enhancing the quality of life for adults with mental illness in Marin, Napa and Sonoma - County of Marin Housing Authority
Assistance to secure and maintain high quality, affordable housing for low and moderate-income residents of Marin - Gilead House
Located in Novato, California, Gilead House is a residential home that houses up to six families. Each family receives a private bedroom, bathroom, and closet. - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
This is a first point of contact if you are homeless or at imminent danger of becoming homeless. The center provides resources, counseling, intake for shelters, and other services for those in need. It also has showers, laundry, telephone, and mail services for your use. - Canal Alliance
Services, education and legal resources for low-income Spanish speaking immigrants in Marin.
