Our Programs for Homeless Veterans
Homeward Bound is proud to serve veterans across our programs - we've been doing it for 50 years.
Veterans who need services can call our shelter team at 415-457-9651.
Homeless veterans programs
Since 2000, a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has helped provide specialized services at the New Beginnings Center shelter. We host a Veterans Affairs representative at our site to help veterans connect with benefits and housing vouchers.
Homeward Bound provides a case manager dedicated to serving veterans, who can help them locate housing options, employment training or community resources. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, 50 veterans received services at Homeward Bound.
Melissa's story
Moving into Puett Place gave Melissa, a U.S. Army veteran, the feeling that “all the chaos I’ve been through is finally ending.”
Support from our staff helped her believe in the future after she extracted herself from an abusive relationship and focused on strengthening her sobriety.
Her eight years of Army service began when she was 19, after a childhood that she recalls as unsteady due to poverty and her parents’ drug use. She followed her service by studying to become a registered nurse, a career that thrived until she lost her housing.
“I’ve never had more loving support than I’ve had here.”
Melissa opened another path at our Fresh Starts Culinary Academy. After graduating, she joined our team to prepare shelter meals and serve guests at catered events.
“Coming to Homeward Bound has been such a complete relief and let me think about my life again,” Melissa says.
Housing for veterans
We opened Puett Place in 2024, welcoming 24 unhoused veterans to new apartments built with community partnership. This building brings Marin County to the brink of ending veteran homelessness and becoming the first county in California to do so.
Residents at Puett Place pay affordable rents and have access to staff support for connecting to medical care, benefits or community resources. Puett Place expands our supportive housing programs in Novato, providing the only dedicated housing for veterans in Marin.
Resources for veterans
For additional information about homeless veterans programs, please visit va.gov/homeless
Press 1 for veterans.
415-382-3363 x238
Jack's story
An earthquake jolted veteran Jack Gobetti out of his Napa apartment and disrupted his rich career in music. The shaking launched him into six unstable years of motor home living, which finally ended at Homeward Bound of Marin.
Jack recalls that period as “kind of scary,” not knowing if his vehicle would be towed when he was away or if he could afford gas. Despite working many years as an auto mechanic in Marin, his savings often ran low.
Our staff helped him move into Puett Place, which provides 24 apartments for unhoused veterans. “I’m in heaven here,” says Jack, whose career in jazz drumming began with the U.S. Army band and took him touring with headliners like Mark Murphy.
He’s keeping the beat going with a jazz trio that plays regularly at places like Cafe Frida in Petaluma. Jack also enjoys getting to know the neighborhood by bike and baking bread in his new kitchen.