To truly support those who've served in the military, Novato has unveiled a beacon of hope for veterans in need of housing. Dubbed Puett Place, this new establishment is part of the more comprehensive Novato Workforce and Veterans Housing project, aimed squarely at helping veterans who are homeless. Situated on the site of the old Hamilton Army Airfield, Puett Place emerged as a community commitment to address the pressing issue of homelessness among veterans, many of whom have struggled to reintegrate into civilian life while dealing with the high cost of living in Marin County.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony heralded the opening of 24 supportive homes for veterans within Puett Place, a move that's been recognized to potentially decrease the rates of homelessness locally. These homes not only have a roof over their heads but also offer an array of supportive services specially tailored for individuals with a background in military service. According to a statement by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), this initiative ensures "no veterans who have served our nation face homelessness." With 50 affordable homes across three buildings, the project targets those earning up to 30% of the Area Median Income, which clearly indicates the dire necessity to support the extremely low-income residents.

Funding for this commendable effort includes a $3 million grant from HCD’s Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP) and a hefty $14.4 million from HCD’s Homekey program. Notably, the latter is to abruptly expand thanks to Proposition 1 passing, paving the way for even more supportive housing projects that could offer a lifeline to California's most vulnerable populations. Homeward Bound of Marin, the nonprofit orchestrator behind the Novato Workforce and Veterans Housing development, has been at the forefront of such initiatives, working diligently to ensure that the former servicemen and women have a place to call home.