Dick Spotswood: Veteran housing in Novato a small win in fight against homelessness
American civic and political leaders, regardless of party, still haven’t devised a consistently workable approach to the chronic homelessness crisis. Multiple well-intended and amply funded programs have been tried. Few have decreased the number of unhoused Californians encountering mental illness, substance abuse or both.
Contrast that with efforts on a smaller, more people-oriented scale. Here in Marin, a new housing development at Novato’s Homeward Bound of Marin is set to address one segment of the unhoused: veterans.
It is a disgrace that anyone who put their life on the line as a member of our armed forces finds themselves unhoused upon discharge. Some endure post-traumatic stress symptoms along with other forms of psychological illness and substance abuse stemming from their wartime experiences.
I recently joined about 30 fellow Marin Rotarians in hands-on work to put finishing touches on Homeward Bound’s Veterans Housing Project. The new elevator-equipped two-floor facility consists of 22 furnished single-bedroom apartments and two studios, including rooms with full disability access.
Construction dollars came from federal and state Project Homekey funding along with assistance from local benefactors. Marin Rotarians were on site due to their participation in the Homeward Bound “fund a room” enterprise. Its continuing goal is to raise $25,000 for each of the 24 apartments.
After our work groups finished, we gathered along with Assemblymember Damon Connolly, Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan, Rotary District Governor Gary Chow and veteran representatives for a check presentation ceremony. Rotary District Assistant Governor Sylvia Barry, who lives in Novato, represented Marin’s 17 Rotary clubs to present a $50,000 check to the effort.
Homeward Bound indicated it needed $300 per unit for cooking utensils, bath linens and bed sheets. On the spot, the Rotarians pledged to cover that expense.
On the Homeward Bound website, co-Executive Director Mary Kay Sweeney said, “This new development will effectively end veteran’s homelessness in Marin.” That’s a noteworthy civic accomplishment.
The next question is whether successful small-scale projects can be replicated on a far larger scale. I’m skeptical. Obtaining millions in funding and locating relatively uncontroversial sites is easier said than done.
Homeward Bound’s veteran housing is at its Hamilton campus on land already owned by the charity. Given its location, it faced few neighborhood objections while enjoying full cooperation from Novato city officials as well as county government. Traditionally, homeless veterans have been seen as a sympathetic group when applying for grants
It may be that instead of trying to address a seemingly unsolvable dilemma, the near-term best route is to pursue smaller projects for a specific segment of the unhoused. The Veterans Housing Project will enable more than two dozen of our fellow humans from living on our dangerous streets and fire-prone hillsides.
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June is Pride Month. One way to deliver respect for Marin’s LGBTQ+ community is to support an initiative on November’s statewide ballot to repeal 2008’s Proposition 8. That measure enshrined in the California’s constitution that “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
Proposition 8 was quickly ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court. Given the current views of most Californians, it should now be deleted from the constitution. There’s always a chance that the federal Supreme Court’s Republican majority might attempt to do as they did with Roe v. Wade; somehow reinstate Proposition 8’s same-sex marriage ban.
For those who wrongly believe supporting our LGBTQ+ community is exclusively a liberal or progressives view, read former President Donald Trump’s X (formerly Twitter) post from 2019. “As we celebrate LGBT Pride Month and recognize the outstanding contributions LGBT people have made to our great Nation, let us also stand in solidarity with the many LGBT people who live in dozens of countries worldwide that punish, imprison, or even execute individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation.”
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.