Marin County Homeless Coordinated Entry System

The Marin Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) has launched a Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive the best services to meet their housing and/or service needs. The CES multi-phase implementation process began in Fall 2017.

What is Coordinated Entry!

The purpose of a Coordinated Entry System is to ensure that all people experiencing homelessness have fair and equal access to resources. Participants are identified, assessed for, and connected to available housing and homeless services based on their needs. They system uses standardized tools and practices, incorporates a system-wide Housing First (no barriers to entry) approach, and, in an environment of scarce resources, coordinates housing support to prioritize those with the most severe needs.

Who can use Coordinated Entry?

Our Coordinated Entry System is designed to serve individuals and families in Marin County who are experiencing homelessness including those who are: 

• Unsheltered (e.g., living outside, in a car, on the streets, or in an encampment),
• Sheltered (e.g., in emergency shelter or transitional housing), or
• Fleeing Domestic Violence (persons fleeing DV are also encouraged to call Center for Domestic Peace Domestic Violence Hotline: 415.924.6616 (English) or 415.924.3456 (Spanish)). 

What are the Benefits of Coordinated Entry in Marin County

• Prioritizes limited resources based on level of need (including medical need, length of time homeless, and age). 
• Assesses for all participating programs at one time, eliminating the need for participants to contact multiple programs individually. 
• Targets referrals to available housing and services that best meet the needs of the participant to reduce wasted time and effort. 
• Communicates clearly what housing and services are available in the community. 
• Documents needs for different types of housing and services, facilitating ability to advocate for more resources. 
  

What's New About This System?

Instead of a first come, first served approach to homeless services, the Marin Coordinated Entry System offers multiple ways for people experiencing homelessness to access homeless housing and services:

• Entry:
• Phone
• Outreach
• Assessment:
• VI-SPDAT (Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool) completed by Provider Site or CE Provider
• Quality assurance using Medical Vulnerability Criteria and Motivational Interviewing
• Match:
• PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing): Housing Placement Case Conference
• RRH: CE Provider and ESG Provider
• Usual Care: Referrals to mainstream services
• Placement:
• Housing navigation services (e.g., doc prep)
• Housing location services (by MHA)
• Prioritized transfers as needed.