Extension of Eviction Moratorium Underscores Dire Need for Rent Relief Ritter Center Calls for an End to Homelessness in Marin County

With Governor Gavin Newsom’s extension of the state’s eviction moratorium and clearing of rent debt for low-income Californians who have suffered economic hardship, the dire need to ensure that more individuals and families do not become homeless is paramount.  Ritter Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center, is launching an event in part to build public awareness while working to prevent and resolve homelessness in Marin County. The campaign kicks off with a community event, “Under the Stars: A Sleepout to End Homelessness in Marin” and will include remarks by U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman, Senator Mike McGuire, and Marin County Supervisor Damon Connolly. 

The event calls for the public to give up their beds for one night this summer to help raise $150,000 for Ritter Center’s housing support, food pantry, and healthcare services. On the night of July 31, 2021, participants will sleep on a floor in their home, on decks, porches, driveways, or in their backyards, spending the night any place other than their comfortable beds. Friends, families and colleagues are donating to their sleepout, with all proceeds going to these essential programs.

“Ritter Center has provided over $567,349 in rental assistance to households impacted by COVID and we continue to process multiple check requests daily. Over 250 households have benefitted from Ritter’s support, at last count,” said Mark Shotwell, Ritter Center Executive Director. “Under The Stars:  A Sleepout to End Homelessness is designed to create a greater understanding of the challenges people experiencing homelessness endure, as well as the effort to prevent more individuals and families from becoming homeless. Although we can’t recreate what it is like to sleep on the streets, we can allow for a pause in our busy lives to reflect on the fact that it has become normalized in our society to walk by a human living on the streets. Together we can call for an end to homelessness in Marin County.”

Learn more at: sleepout.rittercenter.org 

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Ritter Center’s mission is to prevent and resolve homelessness and improve the health and well-being of people living in poverty in Marin by providing culturally sensitive, easily accessible, high-quality medical care and social services. People in need can visit our Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and receive high-quality medical and mental health care regardless of their ability to pay. Ritter Center’s highly trained team combines national clinical best practices with a whole-person care approach to solving each person’s health, food, and housing needs. With over 40 years of experience, we have built industry-leading knowledge and collaborative partnerships with county agencies, health partners, and like-minded organizations to help people overcome barriers to aid and create complete support solutions that sustainably improve people’s lives.