A Tour of Affordable Housing Projects – Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative


	G R E E T I N G S ! In this Perspective, we offer a virtual tour of seventeen of Marin’s existing affordable housing complexes. The map linked here shows each development in its location. Our point: affordable housing is already here. It can be beautiful, and the residents are valued members of our community. Let us know if you enjoy this tour, and send us your comments. July 2023 Affordable housing is sprinkled throughout Marin. These homes fit into the neighborhood so well you don’t even notice them.Here is some already-built affordable housing in Marin that you’ve probably never seen.In response to State laws addressing the housing crisis, we expect Marin to build more housing for low- and moderate-income residents over the next eight years. But we DON’T expect this critically-needed new housing to come easily, and advocacy support will be critical. Unfounded stereotypes often arise when a multi-unit housing project is proposed. The vision of large, ugly concrete buildings occupied by undesirable people brings out resistance and opposition. Reality does not match these stereotypes.The affordable housing complexes throughout Marin are well designed and fit seamlessly into our neighborhoods. The occupants of this housing are not dangerous or undesirable. They are members of our community, including many of our local workforce, including retail workers, restaurant staff and grocery clerks, seniors and others who have lived most of their lives in Marin. Creating homes can create community for all. Opposition reliably arises with almost every new affordable housing project proposed. Our MEHC board members have all heard numerous negative and mean-spirited comments about proposed affordable housing and imagined future residents. The comments consistently involve parking, traffic, density, building height, and questions about who will benefit from the housing. But we have never heard a commenter cite problems or concerns about affordable housing developments after they have been built and are occupied. Our new neighbors who move into these affordable housing developments are soon welcomed and valued in our communities. Take a virtual tour of a few of Marin’s affordable homes. Click for an interactive map that will guide you on your way, showing each development in its location. We start in Sausalito with (1) Bee Street Housing, six apartments for low- and moderate-income seniors or people with disabilities. The apartments are close to the library, shopping, and local park. They serve an important need for a vulnerable group of Marin residents. Next, in Mill Valley on Miller Avenue are the (2) Mill Creek Meadows condominium project, then the (3) Pickleweed Apartments, and (4) The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors. Each of these complexes is architecturally attractive and appropriate for the surrounding landscape. A passerby would never know that The Pickleweed offers thirty-two 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units for low- and moderate-income residents. When this project was completed in 1988, it was the winner of “Best of the West” Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence. Driving into Belvedere on San Rafael Avenue, just past City Hall on the right side of the street is (5) Farley Place, an apartment complex for older adults. It is two stories tall and has 11 apartment homes with covered parking. Farley Place fits beautifully into Belvedere; it is near the waterfront as well as several walking paths and trails. It has been a successful complex since its construction in 1989. Tiburon’s (6) Cecilia Place, is a property of 16 studio cottages for low- and moderate-income seniors. It nestled into a quiet neighborhood, close to public transportation, a grocery store, a pharmacy, and restaurants. Tiburon also has (7) Bradley House, a 15-unit complex for seniors. And (8) The Hilarita offers 102 apartments of one to four bedrooms for families and older adults. Heading North to Larkspur driving along Magnolia Avenue just past Crystal Creek on the right side is (9) Edgewater Place, a multi-family community of 28 apartments for low- and moderate-income residents. These garden-style homes have private patios and are adjacent to a marsh restoration area and bicycle and walking paths. This beautifully designed complex is an asset to the city of Larkspur. Also in Larkspur is (10) Drake’s Way, a 24-unit development with one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for families, very well suited to the surrounding neighborhood. Further on, (11) Larkspur Isle consists of 23 one- and two-bedroom units for working families. San Rafael has several housing complexes for seniors, the disabled, and low- and very low-income residents. (12) Centertown is aptly named, downtown at 855 C Street. This is family and senior housing consisting of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for low- and moderate-income folks. There is a large landscaped courtyard and playground area in the complex, making it ideal for adults and families. San Anselmo’s (13) Isabel Cook Homes is a community of one-, two-, and three-bedroom townhomes close to downtown and community facilities. These attractive townhomes are located on beautiful Sunny Hills Drive adjacent to shopping and a pharmacy. Fairfax has (14) Piper Court in the Oak Manor section of Fairfax–27 two- and three-bedroom affordable family units. In addition, Fairfax’s (15) Fairfax Vest Pocket is a group of six homes providing shared living. Among its other multi-family housing projects, Novato has (16) Hamilton Meadows 1 & 11 with new low-density townhouses consisting of 38 single-room occupancy (SRO) apartments with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities as well as 22 standard apartments in one part, and 24 SROs with 17 apartments in the other. The apartments are two- and three-bedroom units, located on the former Hamilton Air Force Base. (17) Point Reyes Family consists of 13 duplexes of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. There is a community room and children’s play area for residents. Marin has many more affordable housing developments than we have shared here… so well integrated into their communities as to be virtually unnoticeable. They are well-designed, attractive buildings, providing homes for individuals and families who are intricately woven into our social culture. MEHC believes that we in Marin are morally bound to support projects like these from pre-proposal through design, permitting, and construction, lending our expertise and goodwill to the process. We believe in welcoming the people who will be joining our neighborhoods, communities, and economy. Marin is stronger when we have sufficient affordable housing… one of the building blocks of a just and sustainable society. Email us your comments. By the way… MEHC publishes a weekly listing of important housing meetings and Marin housing news– it’s called Coming Up in HOUSING. Email us if you would like to receive it, you can unsubscribe at any time. Join our email list here >>. Encourage friends and colleagues to stand with MEHC! Help MEHC help Marin. Our board is 100% volunteer but we do have expenses for research and communications. Please consider a donation.