New Senior Housing
Making Room for Vulnerable Seniors
You’re invited to a community meeting to learn more!
Thursday, March 26, at 6 p.m.
77 Locust Ave., San Rafael
Homeward Bound of Marin accepted a unique opportunity to fill a critical need for our community. We acquired the property at 77 Locust Ave. in San Rafael with the goal of creating supportive homes for 28 older adults who have experienced homelessness.
Extending a history of caring
With community input, we will create plans to remodel the structures using the existing footprint of the building as our guide. This initiative will maintain the historic use of the building, which began as an infirmary for Dominican College in 1903 and later became a home for Dominican Sisters in their senior years.
Community partnership will be a critical part of opening the doors for this new program. Your gift can help vulnerable seniors transition toward independence and healthy futures in their own homes.
Efficient apartments with shared spaces
We anticipate work could begin in 2028, allowing time for planning review and fundraising to meet the estimated $15 million cost of renovations. The plans would raise energy efficiency, add wildfire protection features and make the site more accessible for people with limited mobility.
Future residents would have their own one-bedroom or studio apartments with kitchenettes. The existing chapel (photo at right) will become a shared space for activities like reading or community gatherings. A paved garden path and existing landscaping will remain in place.
Housing that answers a community call
Supportive housing for seniors has been identified as a critical need in our community. The Marin Civil Grand Jury spotlighted the issue in its 2024 report, “Older Adults on the Brink of Homelessness: Time to Act is Now.” Seniors make up 27% of people in Homeward Bound shelters.
A recent case study by the Terner Center at U.C. Berkeley concludes that our region needs a strong response to push back the rising number of vulnerable older adults falling into homelessness. This property offers many advantages to serve them: an accessible site, nearby partners like Vivalon and neighboring grocery stores.
Meet Helene
After a 25-year career in nursing, Helene found herself falling out of stability as she recovered from life-saving cancer surgery. She found her path forward as she entered her senior years in one of our supportive housing communities.
FAQ for Senior Housing
Please visit our FAQ page to see more details about our proposal. If you have added questions, please email info@hbofm.org and we will be happy to respond.
You can also download a flyer to print or share with details about our plans for senior housing in San Rafael.
This flyer may not be accessible.
