By Yeilim Puc

As a high school student here in Marin County, I care deeply about the problem of homelessness in our community and I hope more are ready to step forward with leadership and action. Around our county, there are people in our neighborhoods without safe shelter who are struggling to survive. I believe this is a crisis we can and must address with real care and action.

Homelessness is one of the most visible and urgent problems in Marin. It’s not just happening in faraway places — it’s happening down the streets, libraries, near grocery stores, parks and under freeways. And while many people walk past without looking, I can’t help but notice. We are one of the wealthiest, most beautiful places in the country, yet people in our community sleep on sidewalks, in their cars or under tarps in the rain.

Homelessness is not just a distant crisis. It’s here in our neighborhoods and it demands our attention.

In many ways, it seems like we are still treating the homeless community more like a problem to hide than one to support. But research and successful programs around the world — like “Housing First” initiatives in Finland and Houston — have shown that providing stable, permanent housing first (without unnecessary conditions) leads to better health, employment and long-term savings for cities. Thankfully, the Marin County Board of Supervisors has adopted a Housing First approach.

Homelessness isn’t just a statistic. It’s something we see every day — people sleeping outside in the cold, carrying all their belongings and trying to survive. It hurts to see human beings treated like they’re invisible. No one should have to live like that in a place as wealthy and beautiful as Marin.

Some say the efforts to end homelessness are too expensive. With some perspective, I don’t think that’s true.

When people are housed, everyone wins. Our neighborhoods are safer, our emergency personnel are less overwhelmed and people get a chance to rebuild their lives. Addressing this crisis allows us to work together across race and class. When we do that, we all gain more and we build stronger communities.

As a student, I’m still learning about the causes of homelessness. They can include skyrocketing rent, untreated mental health issues and broken support systems. But what I already know is this: No one chooses to suffer. No one dreams of living in a tent or being judged just for trying to survive.

Behind every tent or cardboard sign is a person with a story — a veteran, a teenager who aged out of foster care, a mother working two jobs who still can’t afford rent or a man living with untreated mental illness. Most of these people are not criminals. These are neighbors who need our help.

I do not believe homelessness is caused by laziness or moral failure. It is caused by unaffordable housing, systemic racism, disability, income inequality and a broken mental health system. Criminalizing or pushing people out of sight doesn’t solve anything, it only increases suffering and public costs.

Studies show that Housing First strategies offering housing without preconditions lead to better outcomes for individuals and lower costs for cities. Marin County is already home to many compassionate people and strong local efforts like Marin County Health and Human Services, Marin Homeless Outreach and the Marin Housing Authority. But we need bolder action from leaders and broader understanding from residents.

I am not yet old enough to vote. But I’m learning, watching and hoping that the people in power will make decisions that reflect compassion, wisdom and courage. I don’t want to grow up in a society that looks away from people who are suffering. I want to grow up in a city that believes everyone deserves a place to call home.

If we want to live in a truly thriving Marin, we need to see housing not as a privilege, but as a human right. Let’s invest in real solutions. Let’s listen to people with lived experience. Let’s reject the politics of division and embrace the future we all deserve.

Yeilim Puc, of Larkspur, is a student at Redwood High School.