In 2025, the county officially declared a “housing crisis.” This declaration makes it easier to place temporary housing—like tiny homes, mobile homes, or cabins—on county land by loosening zoning and permit rules.
Local shelters run by nonprofit organizations and government partners remain the backbone of emergency support. Many operate under a “housing-first” model: providing temporary shelter along with case management, support services, and assistance in accessing stable, long-term housing.
Below are 10 of the most trusted shelters and programs for people experiencing homelessness in Marin County (as of the end of 2025).
10 Key Shelters & Homeless Support Programs in Marin County
Homeward Bound of Marin – Mill Street Center
Who it serves: Adults experiencing homelessness.
Capacity and features: The Mill Street Center offers 55 beds per night in a dormitory-style setting. It operates year-round as an emergency shelter.
Key features: It is the primary access point to adult shelter services through Homeward Bound. After their initial stay at the shelter, residents who commit to housing plans can move into long-term supportive housing.
Contact: (415) 457-9651 or 1-800-428-1488. Address: 190 Mill Street, San Rafael, CA 94901.
Homeward Bound – Jonathan’s Place
Who it serves: Single adults experiencing homelessness.
Capacity and features: Shelter with approximately 38 beds (based on recent data), plus two upper floors offering 32 units of long-term supportive housing.
Key Features: Jonathan’s Place replaced the former Mill Street Adult Shelter after a major reconstruction. Its goal is to combine immediate housing with long-term housing solutions.
Contact/Address: 190 Mill St., San Rafael, CA 94901; same phone number as Homeward Bound.
Homeward Bound – New Beginnings Center
Who it serves: Adults in need of housing, including those transitioning from crisis to stability.
Capacity and Features: An 80-bed dormitory-style shelter. Residents receive three meals a day, on-site therapy, job and housing assistance, and referrals to other services.
New Beginnings is one of the largest single shelters in the county, making it a critical resource when capacity elsewhere is limited.
Homeward Bound – Homeward Bound Family Center
Who it serves: Families experiencing homelessness (parents/guardians with children under 18).
What it offers: Emergency shelter and family-friendly support services; often the only option in Marin for homeless families with children.
How to access: Families in need can call the Homeward Bound shelter hotline.
Center for Domestic Peace (C4DP): Emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
Who it serves: Survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking: women, youth, children, men (if applicable), and their dependents.
What it offers: Confidential shelter (location not disclosed), medical assistance, food, clothing, child support services, legal advocacy, counseling, and transportation.
This shelter is vital for people fleeing violence. It offers 24/7 support through a hotline, providing immediate shelter even at night or on weekends.
Hotline: 415-924-6616 (English), 415-924-3456 (Spanish).
Casa Gilead: Transitional/supportive housing for single mothers and their children.
Who it serves: Single mothers (with custody) and their children. Designed specifically for people experiencing homelessness.
Program features: Up to 24 residents (mothers and children), mentors, case managers, life skills training, mental health support, school/family advocacy, and a structured, supportive environment.
Limitations: Casa Gilead is not strictly an emergency shelter. Residents are typically admitted after an evaluation (often through the county’s coordinated intake system) and must meet certain criteria (e.g., commitment to life skills training, sobriety, parenting involvement).
Ritter Center: Resources for the Homeless
What it offers: While not a full-service shelter, the Ritter Center offers key support services: showers, laundry, emergency clothing, a food pantry, information, and referrals.
Why it matters: For people experiencing homelessness or transitioning between shelters, access to showers, clean clothes, and laundry can be critical; the Ritter Center helps meet that need.
St. Vincent de Paul Society: Free Dining Hall and Outreach Services
What it offers: Daily meals (breakfast, lunch) in its dining hall, plus case management support: transportation tickets, paperwork assistance, clothing, and temporary help.
Why it matters: For people experiencing homelessness, access to regular meals is often as urgent as shelter. Through meal programs and out-of-shelter support, St. Vincent de Paul helps alleviate immediate hardship.
Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES)
When it’s used: During extreme weather conditions: intense cold, storms, poor air quality, or other life-threatening conditions.
What it offers: Overnight shelter for people experiencing homelessness who would otherwise have no shelter.
How to access: The county activates SWES when weather threatens safety. People in need should check the announcements or call the county’s general homelessness hotline.
Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity / Youth and Young Adult Support
Who it serves: Youth and young adults (ages 16-25) experiencing homelessness or at risk.
What kind of support: Emergency housing (when available), homestay accommodation, peer-supported apartments, case management, mental health and substance abuse services, and life skills support.
Young people often face unique challenges: school disruption, lack of stable adult support, and vulnerability. This program aims to provide them with a safety net and a path to stability.
Why these shelters are vital and how the 2025 “Shelter Crisis” Declaration helps
The county board’s recent “shelter crisis” declaration authorizes the rapid deployment of emergency temporary housing, such as tiny houses or mobile homes.
However, this does not replace traditional shelters. The shelters mentioned remain the cornerstone of the homelessness response in Marin County.
The county follows the “Housing First” philosophy: shelter is considered a step toward stable housing. Shelters encourage (and sometimes require) residents to collaborate with case managers, establish housing plans, and access services.
Because shelter space is limited and demand often exceeds supply, having a diverse mix of resources—including adult shelters, family shelters, safe housing for victims of domestic violence, youth assistance, meal and laundry support, and weather-activated shelters—is essential to meet varying needs.
What to do if you or someone else needs shelter now?
Call the county’s coordinated inbound lines: for individuals: 415-473-4663; for families: 415-457-2115.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the Center for Domestic Peace’s 24-hour hotline: 415-924-6616 (English) or 415-924-3456 (Spanish).
For immediate shelter in severe weather or other emergencies, watch for local Severe Weather Emergency Shelter (SWES) activation announcements.
For food, hygiene, or low-cost support, consider contacting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul or the Ritter Center. For youth or young adults (ages 16–25) without stable housing, contact Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity for assistance.
Limitations: What this list does not guarantee
- Bed availability fluctuates. Even shelters with beds available per night can fill up quickly. Therefore, access is not guaranteed.
- Many services involve screening or admission requirements. For example, some require sobriety, a willingness to participate in case management, or parental responsibilities (in the case of family shelters).
- Not all vulnerable groups receive the same attention. While services exist for adults, families, people fleeing domestic violence, youth, and mothers with children, resource limitations can create gaps, especially for people with pets, couples without children, or people who have recently become homeless.
- Support beyond the shelter may be limited. Mental health services, long-term housing, and job training depend on availability, capacity, and individual circumstances.
Conclusion
Marin County offers a variety of shelters and support programs for people experiencing homelessness. The list above, which includes shelters for adults, families, victims of domestic violence, youth, and supported housing programs, provides a broad safety net. Recent policy changes (such as the 2025 “shelter crisis” declaration) provide flexibility and potential for expanding temporary housing.
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