Although vaccine rollout in Marin has been very successful, there is one population that is at great risk and is sometimes overlooked: people experiencing homelessness.
To reduce the chance of Covid-19 spread and exposure, this vulnerable population — which includes single adults, pregnant women and families with children sleeping outside or in their vehicles — Marin County Department of Health and Human Services is continuing Project Roomkey through September 30. The State of California–driven initiative uses federal grants to provide homeless individuals with a safe place to temporarily reside. Locally, the project provides funding for 40 rooms at a Marin motel — the program is now at maximum capacity — plus case management support and connections to health care coordination.
“Connecting folks to shelter, case management and health care can lead to other positive opportunities. The goal is to give them choices other than returning to the streets,” says Carrie Sager, Marin HHS homelessness programs coordinator.
