Marin Foundation Grants $3M to Shelter Seniors
A New Approach to Preventing Senior Homelessness in Marin County
Marin County is taking a significant step forward in addressing the growing issue of homelessness among older adults. The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County has recently received a $3 million grant from the Marin Senior Life Foundation. This funding aims to help prevent older residents from falling into homelessness by providing critical support and resources.
The Marin Senior Life Foundation was established to manage the proceeds from the sale of the Parnow Friendship House, a property that generated approximately $38.3 million in 2024. The foundation’s mission is to ensure that older individuals in Marin can age with dignity, regardless of their income level. Luke Barnesmoore, a member of the foundation’s board, emphasized this commitment, stating that the goal is to provide opportunities for all seniors to live comfortably and safely.
Understanding the Parnow Friendship House
Located at 164 N. San Pedro Road in San Rafael, the Parnow Friendship House offers low-income housing for 71 seniors and a manager. The rent is limited to 30% of income due to Section 202 vouchers provided by the federal government. Donna Isralsky, president of the foundation’s board and president of Center Interfaith Housing, explained that the decision to sell the property came after an unsolicited offer prompted the nonprofit to explore its market value.
Center Interfaith Housing, which had managed the Parnow Friendship House for about 40 years, received its best offer from Security Properties, a Seattle-based property management company. The company purchased the site with the help of $33 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority. Marin County supervisors approved the issuance of these bonds.
Importantly, the Parnow Friendship House renewed its contract with the federal government to continue receiving Section 202 vouchers for at least another 20 years at the time of the sale. Leelee Thomas, deputy director of the Marin County Community Development Agency, noted that there are additional agreements in place, including a Department of Housing and Urban Development contract and a California Tax Credit Allocation Committee regulatory agreement, which ensure the property remains affordable for 55 years.
Addressing the Homelessness Crisis Among Seniors
Homelessness among Marin seniors has become a pressing concern. During a four-day budget workshop in February, county supervisors discussed the issue extensively. Stephanie McNally, chief programs officer for Vivalon, the county’s largest nonprofit serving older adults, highlighted the urgency of the situation.
“Marin is facing a rapidly escalating crisis that is not adequately reflected in our current system of care,” McNally said. “Older adults are now the fastest-growing group falling into homelessness in a county aging faster than the state average. This must be treated as an urgent priority and not a footnote.”
According to the most recent federally mandated count of Marin’s homeless population conducted in 2024, 24% of the 1,090 homeless people were 55 or older, and 7% were 65 or older. At the state level, about 50% of the unhoused population is over the age of 50, with 40% becoming homeless for the first time after the age of 50.
Challenges in Current Programs
Both McNally and Barnesmoore pointed out that existing programs designed to address homelessness are not well-suited to meet the needs of Marin seniors. “Our affordable housing model simply does not work for people on fixed incomes,” McNally said. “Area median income-based affordability standards don’t align with Social Security or Supplemental Security Income. This means that even deeply affordable units in high-resource counties like Marin remain out of reach for many low-income older adults.”
Barnesmoore added that while area median incomes continue to rise, the fixed incomes of seniors remain stagnant. He also noted that current programs often focus on either people with severe needs who require permanent supportive housing or relatively high-functioning individuals who need short-term assistance to regain stability.
Innovative Solutions for Older Adults
In November, Marin County entered into a partnership with All Home, a San Francisco nonprofit, and the Marin Community Foundation to start a program aimed at preventing homelessness. The initiative provides short-term emergency financial assistance, such as covering back rent, security deposits, and other housing expenses. All Home uses an algorithm to determine who merits assistance, focusing on those at highest immediate risk of homelessness.
Christine Paquette, CEO of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin, noted that very few of the older adults served by the organization have been homeless before. “They are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their 60s, 70s, and 80s,” she said. “They’re in a very precarious situation because they can’t get an extra job or easily move.”
Barnesmoore emphasized that seniors in danger of becoming homeless require longer-term financial support and assistance in evaluating their options. He stressed the importance of getting their names on waiting lists for housing with deep subsidies that match their fixed incomes, such as the Parnow Friendship House.
The Impact of the Grant
The $3 million grant from the Marin Senior Life Foundation will support the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County in its efforts to prevent homelessness among seniors. About $1.8 million of the money will be used for shallow rent subsidies and other early intervention supports. These subsidies will not be time-limited, providing seniors with temporary relief while more long-term solutions are explored.
The grant will also provide more than $550,000 to pay a full-time housing case manager to help seniors navigate the complex housing system. Additionally, over $227,000 will be allocated for data collection and analysis.
“Older adults who are precariously housed really need someone to help them look at what their assets are and where to go for help,” Paquette said. “The shallow rent subsidies won’t be forever, but they will buy us time to look for longer-term solutions.”
