Posted on the County Site here.
Binford Bulletin
In my last Binford Bulletin I shared that the Board of Supervisors would receive an update from County staff regarding the Binford Road Encampment at our August 22 Board Meeting. The staff report and video recording (item 7) of the meeting are posted on the County website.
The County of Marin recently secured $1.6 million in state grant funding over three years to resolve the Binford Road encampment through enhanced outreach, housing-based case management, and other direct support to homeless individuals.
With support from the new state funding, three main strategies have been identified as next steps to address the encampment.
- Supportive Services: The goal is to house half of the approximately 90 individuals along Binford Road within two years, and all within three years. Some of these individuals will need permanent supportive housing, while others may need assistance to stabilize into affordable housing units, including security deposits, first and last month’s rent, or other housing-related costs.
- Enforcement and Regulation: The goal is to improve public and environmental safety by reducing the number of abandoned vehicles and belongings in the public right-of-way. Abandoned or excess vehicles will be removed after providing registered owners with a 30-day pre-notice period, followed by a 15-day action notice. Personal property stored in the public right-of-way will be removed after the notice period. The Sheriff’s office is distributing notices this week to begin this enforcement effort.
- Environmental Protection: The goal is to protect and preserve the sensitive environmental habitat on and along the Rush Creek Preserve and slough. The County will increase efforts to support appropriate and healthy disposal of trash and waste prior to the wet weather season, when control of such discharges is more difficult.
In addition, the reconstruction of Binford Road has been on Public Works’ capital improvement project list for several years. These needed improvements are planned to commence in 2025, including requirements along the east side of Binford Road to install sediment control to filter road runoff for protection of the sensitive habitat of the Rush Creek Preserve and slough. This will have the effect of eliminating much, if not all, parking along the east side of Binford Road along the water. We will monitor progress of these efforts and plan for any needed contingencies.
I have asked our County staff to come back to the Board of Supervisors by the end of the calendar year to provide a status update on these efforts. Monthly progress will be tracked on the County’s Data Dashboard.
I know that no plan is perfect, but I support the strategy in place. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m pleased we have a detailed, thoughtful, collaborative effort in place to execute. Our end goal is to move people into housing.
I will continue to visit Binford Road on a weekly basis and communicate with you when we have updates to share. I appreciate the interest and concern from the community.