A foundation started by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his partner Lauren Sánchez has given Homeward Bound of Marin a five-year, $2.5 million grant.

Homeward Bound, the county’s chief provider of shelter and supportive housing for homeless people, was one of 40 organizations awarded grants this month from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund. Since its launch in 2018, the fund has distributed nearly $750 million in grants.

Bezos is the world’s second richest person, with a net worth of $219 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. In a 2022 interview with CNN, Bezos said he plans to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime.

The Bezos fund has focused its giving on nonprofits that help homeless families and efforts to create a network of nonprofit preschools in low-income communities.

“Housing for everyone — children and their families in particular — is a basic human right,” said Paul Fordham of Homeward Bound of Marin. “These catalytic funds will accelerate our progress towards bringing home all unhoused families in Marin.”

Organizations have to be invited by the Bezos fund to be eligible to apply for grants.

“We have no idea who recommended us,” Fordham said. “They work with an independent advisory board composed of experts in the homelessness field nationwide.”In 2023, Homeward Bound served 245 parents and children in shelter and housing programs. Of those who left, 81% transitioned into longer-term housing.

“This investment will not only provide critical resources but will also allow Homeward Bound of Marin to be innovative when offering services to end family homelessness,” said Anna Hurtado, the organization’s chief program officer.

Hurtado said one of the things Homeward Bound will use the money for is to hire an “income enhancement specialist” to work with families who will be housed as part of the nonprofit’s new Sweeney Place housing program in Novato.

The new program involves the addition of six apartments for families transitioning out of homelessness and 20 apartments for people experiencing chronic homelessness.

“We’ll be bringing on someone who will focus strictly on financial literacy and working closely with folks on their financial plans and goals,” Hurtado said.

Fordham estimates there are about 45 to 50 homeless families in Marin, down from about 75 last year.

The county’s biennial “point in time” homeless survey, which was conducted on Jan. 23, found that the number of homeless families in Marin decreased by over 12%, to 64, compared to 2022.

Fordham said most homeless families in Marin are living in their vehicles or couch surfing, and that very few live outdoors or in a tent.

Homeward Bound provides the only emergency shelter for homeless families in the county. It can accommodate up to nine families at its Family Center, which is located in a house in San Rafael. The house has no vacancies.

Homeward Bound also has five dwellings for families in its Next Key Apartments complex. While the Family Center is intended for families who need emergency shelter for a relatively short period, Next Key residents are allowed to remain in their apartments for up to two years, giving them more time to improve their finances.

Christina Cerretani said she and her 1-year-old son Avery have been living in the Family Center for nearly eight months.

“We’re having problems finding a place,” Cerretani said. “The rents are extremely high. All the low-income places that I could afford all have long wait lists. It’s really hard.”

Cerretani is single and has two other sons who are teenagers. She said her older boys aren’t allowed to visit her at the Family Center. The rule is designed to protect domestic violence victims.

Cerretani said she needed emergency shelter after her car broke down, preventing her from continuing her delivery job, and her landlord evicted her because her 16-year-old son moved in.

“It was a downward spiral for me,” she said.

Cerretani said things were looking up for a time. She was working three jobs as a caregiver and as a deliverer for Target and Uber Eats, but she lost the caregiving and Target jobs the same week in September.

Cerretani applied for one of the transitional housing spots at New Key but was passed over for another family. She said she has considered applying for one of the new apartments at Sweeney Place but is hesitant because it would be large enough to accommodate only three people.

“I’d have to choose between my kids,” Cerretani said. “I don’t know if I can choose between my two older sons.”