San Rafael and Marin County outline 65‑cabin interim shelter, services and funding for 350 Merrydale Road

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — City of San Rafael and Marin County officials said on a public webinar that they plan to open a time-limited interim shelter at 350 Merrydale Road that would place up to 65 individual cabins on a flat lot and provide 24/7 on-site staff, showers, toilets, security and housing navigation.

The shelter is intended as an interim step while the property moves through a future entitlement and development process for permanent affordable housing. City staff said funding is in hand to operate the interim program through June 30, 2027, and that an extension of up to two additional years would be pursued if further funding is secured (potential closing by June 30, 2029).

City officials said the program will prioritize residents of the Mahone Creek sanctioned camping area and an unsanctioned encampment along Anderson Drive. The interim site will be capped at 70 unique participants over time and is not intended to serve people from outside San Rafael.

"This project is a way for San Rafael to help address the unhoused residents among us who need help being brought to a level of stability so that they can help themselves," Vice Mayor Marybeth Bushey said during opening remarks. She described the cabins as an "interim step" that mirrors the city’s pathway from temporary shelter to permanent housing.

County and city staff explained the services to be offered on-site and in partnership with community…