Safety is paramount in addressing unhoused
I was very interested to read about a three-year plan to clean up the vehicle camp situation on Binford Road near Novato (“Marin County unveils plan to clear Novato road camp,” Aug. 26).
I’m wondering why Marin County officials continue to ignore the question of finding a safer place for the vehicles and their residents as they work to help them find more permanent homes.
These people would be much safer if they could park their van or camper near a structure with services. I know there are organizations built to provide things like laundry services, showers, food and waste management. Recently, I read about one working well in East Palo Alto.
We need to realize that people living on Binford Road might want to stay in their camper while they find permanent housing. I know Marin has plenty of vacant land and parking lots that could be built to accommodate campers, much like an actual RV community.
Of course, we all know that providing space won’t be enough. The program must include onsite support. Some will need help to get jobs, medical help or rehabilitation services.
I’d like to think that a newly created community of rehabilitated RV dwellers could become self-sustaining. They could all collectively stay at the newly built park, eventually paying a subsided rent. Anything is possible.
It seems to me that we are asking people to leave their perceived safe space (whether they live in a tent or a vehicle) with too many uncertainties about support. People who live in tents could be living in a tiny cabin community as a transition to permanent housing. People living in their RVs could have a safe, supported place to park.
— Sally Middleton, Corte Madera