Providing resources and housing stability for ages 18-24

Community Action Marin offers vital support and assistance to unhoused Transitional Age Youth (TAY). Unlike the many adults we assist, transitional age youth (agex 18-24) are often harder to locate and assist as most of the homeless or precariously housed aren’t aware of existing services, don’t access services in the adult system of care, or may feel a stigma attached to being unhoused, or do not self-identify as homeless.

This age group often faces vulnerabilities including a lack of family support, experience with trauma, or difficulty navigating  independent living. At risk of, or experiencing homelessness, these youth rely on their resilience and resourcefulness to meet their basic survival needs, but often at the sacrifice of college, careers, and long-term stability and relationships.

At Community Action Marin,  we partner with our Transitional Age Youth to share the burden of meeting basic needs, allowing them to focus their energies on setting goals for long-term health, housing, and well-being. Our Case Managers understand the unique needs, geographies, and strengths of these young adults and help them to work toward housing readiness and financial stability.

In collaboration with the county, this past year Community Action Marin secured $1.5M in funding to spearhead a three-year effort, supported by the Tipping Point Community, to help ensure access to available services for the Transitional Age Youth community. This project supports up to 180 youth per year who are homeless, precariously housed or at-risk of homelessness by providing outreach, case management, financial assistance, housing navigation, and links to community supports.

Upon receiving referrals from our partners within the community, the program assigns a team consisting of an outreach and engagement specialist and a case manager, to meet with the individual. The goal of this first meeting is to provide an introduction, get to know them, and ask if they would like support. If yes, the team discusses next steps in the process and develops a support plan.

Teams are focused on Southern Marin, Central Marin, and West Marin and are mobile, enabling them to meet clients where they are, as well as transport them to necessary appointments. 

The agency also works in partnership with the College of Marin Student Support Services to help youth get access to those things that will help maintain well-being and put them on a path to self sufficiency, such as a phone, medication, a primary care provider, education, job training, or to secure housing. The West Marin Multi Service Center, part of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Marin County Cooperation Team also has a long standing relationship with Community Action Marin and partners in the program.