Lede: Marin County Executive Derek Johnson told the Board of Supervisors Wednesday that the county and the City of San Rafael are partnering on an interim shelter project at 350 Merrydale to house people now camping along Mahon Creek and that the county will consider contributing up to $8 million toward the property purchase.

Nut graf: Johnson also announced that the state awarded $2.7 million in Homekey Plus funds for rehabilitation of the Carmelita Womens House into nine permanent supportive units, and that a Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant of $11.5 million will help convert vacant Coast Guard housing in Point Reyes into 54 affordable units, part of a $55.4 million project supported by local, state and other funding.

Body: On the shelter site, Johnson said the interim facility will offer up to 65 cabin-style interim shelter units on a currently vacant parking lot at 350 Merrydale. He said the county is considering contributing $8,000,000 to the purchase; the board will see that request on Nov. 18, and the San Rafael City Council is expected to consider related items on Nov. 17.

Johnson said the county hopes the interim shelter will stand up in 2026, after a multi-year permitting process, and that reopening the Mahon Creek Pathway as a park is an intended outcome once residents move to the interim site.

On Homekey: Johnson said the state announced $251 million in Homekey Plus awards statewide and that Marin County received $2.7 million for Marin Health and Human Services in partnership with Catholic Charities to rehabilitate Carmelita Womens House into nine permanent supportive housing units. He framed the award as part of ongoing efforts to provide stability for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

On Point Reyes: Johnson said Marin County and the Community Land Trust Association of Marin (CLAM), working with Eden Housing, secured an $11.5 million grant from the Joe Serna Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant Program to rehabilitate 13 buildings on a 33-acre former Coast Guard site into 54 permanent affordable units targeted to farmworkers and families displaced by ranch closures. Johnson said the project totals about $55.4 million, includes more than $12 million already appropriated by the board from the general fund, and expects completion in 2028. He said the project will also protect nearby natural resources and improve infrastructure.

Ending: Johnson also mentioned transportation changes affecting commuters (a pilot using the Richmond-San Rafael bridge upper-deck bikeway as a shoulder on selected weekdays beginning Oct. 27) and said staff will provide more local outreach and webinars about the 350 Merrydale site as the city and county move toward permitting and community conversation.

Quotes: "The purpose of this facility is specific in that it will provide for an interim shelter," Johnson said. "The county will consider contributing $8,000,000 towards the purchase of the property, an action that will be presented to your board on November 18."

Context/next steps: The board did not vote on either the Merrydale purchase or the Point Reyes grant at the meeting; Johnson said the Merrydale purchase will be on the Nov. 18 board agenda and that additional community outreach events and a Nov. 17 San Rafael City Council meeting are scheduled to allow public input.