From: Mark Shotwell <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2024 6:10 PM
To: Distrib- City Clerk <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting Comment on Encampment Resolution Hello Council Members and Mayor Kate,
I apologize that this is last minute. I did not realize I could not comment on Zoom.
I want to appreciate the compassionate and reasonable approaches that are proposed by the City of San Rafael to resolve homelessness and encampments in our community of San Rafael.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Ritter Center, I see every day the tragedy of homelessness in the deeply impacted lives of the people we serve. I also see how horrible homelessness is for everyone in our community. This includes residents, businesses and visitors to our beloved City.
The only way to end homelessness is to ensure that everyone experiencing homelessness is offered shelter, housing and intensive supportive services to ensure they stay housed and their health improves.
The new grant the City received along with a grant the County received from the State will make sure everyone at the Mahone Camp has a path to end their homelessness quickly and permanently. We need more interventions exactly like this and we will end homelessness in San Rafael and Marin. Incarceration does nothing to end homelessness. Treatment is helpful, but it falls short of a full solution. Ultimately, this is an affordable housing problem and the City is implementing the right, comprehensive solution.
Mark
For urgent matters, Please copy Jasmine Mckay, Executive Assistant @ [email protected] Telephone number (415) 457-8182 xt. 106
Mark Shotwell
Chief Executive Officer
Ritter Center
(415) 457-8182 xt. 131