In Marin, many people experiencing homelessness are technically eligible for services. They qualify for housing programs, health care, behavioral health support, and coordinated care pathways.

But eligibility alone doesn’t move someone forward.

Access happens in real time — in moments that require clarity, follow-through, and human connection. It happens when someone knows where to go, who to talk to, what to bring, and what comes next. And it happens most reliably when there is continuity and a warm handoff, not just a referral.

This is the space where MPRCC works.

The space between “you qualify” and “you’re connected”

From the outside, systems can look straightforward: make a referral, schedule an intake, offer a resource. On the ground, people are often navigating multiple appointments, locations, timelines, and requirements — while also managing stress, instability, health needs, and daily survival.

The gap isn’t about motivation.
It’s about coordination, timing, and trust.

Common barriers include:

• appointments scheduled far from where someone is staying
• limited transportation or phone access
• unclear next steps after an intake
• long waits between touchpoints
• transitions where responsibility quietly shifts

When these moments aren’t supported, people don’t “opt out” — they get lost in the space between steps.

What a warm handoff actually means

A warm handoff is more than sharing information. It’s a shared moment of connection and accountability.

It can look like:

• accompanying someone to an appointment instead of just giving directions
• introducing a person directly to a provider, not just naming the program
• helping someone prepare questions or paperwork ahead of time
• checking in afterward to confirm what happened and what comes next
• staying connected through the waiting period

Warm handoffs create continuity. They reduce confusion. They make it easier for people to stay engaged — especially when the process is long or unfamiliar.

Continuity is what keeps people engaged over time

Housing navigation, health care access, and stabilization don’t happen in a single interaction. They unfold across weeks and months.

Continuity means:

• someone remembers where you left off
• someone notices when you miss a step
• someone helps you re-engage without judgment
• someone tracks progress across systems, not just within one program

This kind of support doesn’t replace existing services — it strengthens how they work together.

Oversight as support, not criticism

Another quiet role peer-led work plays is oversight.

Not oversight as punishment — but as follow-through:

• confirming referrals resulted in appointments
• noticing when communication breaks down
• flagging barriers early so they can be addressed
• ensuring services align with what was explained

This feedback loop helps systems function as intended, while keeping people connected rather than discouraged.

Why this matters in Marin

Marin’s service landscape includes strong programs and committed providers. It also includes:

• long waitlists
• geographic distance
• high housing costs
• multiple points of coordination

In this environment, small gaps can quickly become major setbacks. Warm handoffs and continuity help ensure that progress — even slow progress — keeps moving forward.

What MPRCC brings to this space

MPRCC fills the gap between eligibility and access by:

• building trusted relationships over time
• providing warm handoffs across services
• maintaining continuity through transitions
• offering supportive oversight and feedback
• developing lived experience leadership that strengthens coordination

This work is quiet, steady, and deeply relational. It’s what turns opportunity into outcome.

The truth worth holding

Eligibility opens a door.
Access is what helps someone walk through it.

When systems are connected by people — not just processes — individuals are more likely to stay engaged, feel supported, and move toward stability.

That’s the work.
That’s the bridge.
And that’s why peer-led continuity matters.