MARIN FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATION EXPANDS HOUSING TO SAN RAFAEL

Marin Foster Care Association, providing support for foster children and resource families, announced the expansion of their pioneering housing initiative for transition age foster youth in San Rafael — a six-unit
apartment building dedicated to providing stable, affordable housing for foster youth aging out of the system.

The county often struggles to place foster teens with local families, particularly those of the same ethnicity, leading to placements outside the area. As a result, the county provides case workers to support foster
youths living on their own for the first time, addressing challenges such as the risk of negative outcomes like crime, drug use and mental health issues.

However, foster youth face substantial difficulties in renting apartments, as landlords are often reluctant to rent to them. This challenge led Marin Foster Care Association to pursue the purchase of the apartment
building in San Rafael, after seeing success from their acquisition of a 10-unit building in Novato. Since securing the building in Novato in late 2023, Marin Foster Care Association has moved six foster youth into studio apartments on their path to independence. The project, a collaborative effort between Marin Foster Care Association, an anonymous private donor, the Marin Board of Supervisors and donations from donors and local government grants, is a unique partnership that underscores the community’s commitment to supporting vulnerable youth. The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services will provide housing vouchers to foster youths to help subsidize their rents in these apartments.
Housing will be made immediately available to qualifying youths, with other units available as current tenants vacate. Marin Foster Care Association plans to deed the units to keep them affordable for low-income residents in the future.

“Our young adults deserve every opportunity to succeed, and stable housing is a foundational part of that,” says Ashley Hurd, executive director of Marin Foster Care Association. “This apartment building is more than just a place to live; it’s a stepping stone to a brighter future for our foster youth.”

In addition to this housing project, Marin Foster Care Association has expanded its reach across the Bay Area. They have facilitated the launch of resource centers in Sonoma, Contra Costa, Solano and San Francisco counties; each becoming an independent 501(c) (3) while receiving guidance, donations of inventory and support from Marin Foster Care Association. These centers offer a variety of services to resource families and foster youth, mirroring the successful model established by Marin Foster Care
Association.

For more information, visit marinfostercare.org.