Marin Voice: Why Affordable Housing is Good for Marin

By Colin Russell

In our continuing collaborative effort to promote more affordable housing in Marin County, a few salient facts are often overlooked by those who oppose it.

California’s population is growing rapidly.  Our current population exceeds 37 million, and that number is projected to grow to over 50 million by the year 2050.  On average, the state grows annually by 600,000 – 700,000 people – equivalent to a city the size of San Francisco! Some of that growth is fueled by in-migration, but the vast majority comes from our increasing in-state birth rate.

 

The recent lead article in the SF Chronicle (March 5, 2013) brings the issue into stark relief:  “Between 2010 and 2040, the city will need 92,410 new housing units and 191,000 more jobs…”  This inevitably means that the suburbs around San Francisco, including Marin, will

grow proportionately. And so we citizens of Marin face a choice:  We can ignore the problem and hope it goes away on its own (and deal reactively with the negative consequences when we’re proved wrong) or we can accept this new reality and plan intelligently for it.

Twenty years ago our Marin leaders recognized that the soaring cost of housing was putting our social, environmental and economic vitality (now recognized as the three pillars of sustainability) at risk.

Our teachers, fire fighters, day care workers, seniors, retail clerks, young adults returning from college, even physicians and scientists, were being denied the opportunity to live in the communities they served, forcing them into long commutes, fouling our air and bringing congestion to our roads.

A recent Census Bureau report reveals that the Bay Area has one of the largest percentages of “mega-commuters” (those who drive vast distances to get to work) in the entire country. Many forward-thinking organizations and non-profit groups are now dedicated to solving the problem in an equitable and compassionate way.

Our mission has not been easy, as it requires that we all think differently about the changing character of Marin, and though there have been successes, the number of new affordable units built over that 20 years has not come close to meeting the need.

With the Sustainability movement, an alliance once considered unlikely has been forged between housing, social equity advocates, and environmentalists.  These constituencies now recognize that housing development of appropriate densities, in the right locations and free of major environmental constraints, is good not only for our social and economic health but also for our environment.

Locating a mix of housing types near transit and other services makes good sense in a myriad of ways.  Residents are more likely to support transit ridership, which helps to reduce freeway congestion.  Such development also fosters diversity, and when well-designed provides more interesting and vital places for us all to gather and interact.

One example is the Rafael Town Center in downtown San Rafael, a vibrant mix of retail and housing  – both designated affordable units and “affordable by design” – which replaced an ageing Macy’s department store.  A visitor on any given day will find the courtyard, with its restaurants, attractive water features and abundant places to sit, an enjoyable and enriching experience.

Another is San Clemente Place in Corte Madera, a beautiful, amenity-rich, 100% affordable complex that replaced a former lumber yard.  Drake’s Way in Larkspur, also 100% affordable, enjoys sweeping views of Mount Tamalpais and is directly adjacent to the Larkspur Landing shopping center and the Ferry Terminal (full disclosure – my firm designed that one.)  Many younger families prefer housing close to shopping and transit and make home purchase decisions based on “Walk Score,” (www.walkscore.com) a website whose tagline is “Drive Less, Live More.”

Marin residents value diversity in our community. Marin is a truly wonderful place to live for those of us who can afford it.  It behooves us all to welcome those who otherwise cannot.

Colin Russell, Architect

Plenary Member

Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative