The High Cost of the "Shuffle": Why Consistency Beats Churn in Homeless Services

In the corporate world, "churn" is a metric of loss—a percentage of customers who walk away. But in the world of homeless outreach and social services, churn looks much different. It is the exhausting, soul-crushing cycle of moving from one temporary shelter to another, navigating a maze of disconnected agencies, and repeatedly telling your most traumatic stories to new faces who may not be there next month.

At MPRCC (Marin Peer Resource Community Collective), we recognize that churn is the enemy of stability. When systems are fragmented, the people they are meant to serve are the ones who fall through the cracks.

What is "Systemic Churn"?

For our neighbors experiencing housing instability in Marin County, churn is often forced upon them. It manifests as:

• The Relocation Cycle: Moving between encampments or temporary stays without a long-term landing spot.
• The Information Gap: Losing progress on housing applications because of a "warm handoff" that went cold.
• The Trust Deficit: Feeling like just another number in a clinical system, leading to disengagement from services.

When a person "churns" out of the system, we don't just lose a data point. We lose an opportunity to save a life.

The MPRCC Antidote: Peer-Led Consistency

Our deep dive into the needs of our community shows that the best way to fight churn is through relationship-based care. MPRCC is built on a model that prioritizes the "staying power" of support. Here is how we address the cycle:

1. Lived Experience as the Anchor

The reason many people disengage (or "churn") from traditional services is a lack of trust. Our team members aren't just providers; they are peers with lived experience. When someone meets a navigator who truly understands the struggle of the streets, the barriers to engagement drop. We aren't a temporary stop; we are a consistent partner.

2. Bridging the Gaps, Not Just Pointing to Them

Traditional systems often operate in silos. You go to one place for food, another for medical, and a third for housing. MPRCC acts as the glue. By "walking alongside" our participants, we ensure that the transition from one service to another isn't a point of failure. We provide the "warm handoff" that keeps the momentum moving forward.

3. Moving Toward a Permanent Vision

The ultimate solution to churn is, of course, a permanent place to call home. Our long-term vision—a Peer-Led Wellness Campus and Workforce Housing Village—is designed specifically to end the shuffle. By integrating community care with stable housing, we create an environment where individuals can stop "surviving" the system and start building a life.

Stability is a Community Effort

Churn happens when people feel forgotten. Stability happens when they feel seen.

At MPRCC, our work isn't theoretical. It’s informed by what we see on the ground every day in Marin. We know that consistency, dignity, and real relationships are the only things strong enough to break the cycle of homelessness.

Are you ready to help us end the churn? Whether you are looking to volunteer, partner with us, or donate, there is a place for you in this collective.

To learn more about our programs and the impact of peer-led support, visit us at mprcc.org.