MEHC’s most impactful year ever!
We give thanks to all who’ve advocated for more affordable, environmentally-sound and socially-just housing. MEHC’s capacity expanded this year, and we’ve been working hard for housing. Marin approved more housing this year than it has in decades!
MEHC’s support helped advance projects
Many projects we support have moved closer to development, including:
- Northgate Town Square was unanimously approved by San Rafael City Council
- 1 Hamilton Drive was approved, Mill Valley’s first affordable project in 30 years
- Mallard Pointe was approved by Tiburon City Council
- Marinwood Plaza was approved ministerially by Marin County
- Point Reyes Station project was approved by the Marin Board of Supervisors
- Oak Hill in Larkspur received $5M in funds to ensure the affordable units get built
- School Street Plaza in Fairfax plans to expand the number of housing units
- Coast Guard Housing in Point Reyes Station received approval for a coastal permit and conditional use permit by County zoning administrators
- 1st St & Grant Ave is an AB 2011 project with 100% affordable units under review
- 3rd St & Grant Ave is an approved AB 2011 project
- 4th St & Grant Ave is an approved AB 2011 project
- Landing Court Apartments is an approved AB 2011 project
MEHC’s advocacy connected with the public and policymakers
- MEHC spoke at over 25 local meetings, sent 15 letters of support and 10 Action Alerts. This includes support for both projects and policies.
- We are in an eviction crisis. Evictions are up 80% this year. Throughout the year, MEHC has advocated for anti-displacement measures, including for the local tenant protection ballot measures. Unfortunately, these measures failed. MEHC will work collaboratively on solutions to this crisis.
Housing for All Marin Coalition
A group of Marin nonprofits including MEHC created the Housing for All Marin coalition in order to build support for affordable housing funding and advocate for Prop 5, which would haver made it easier to pass affordable housing bonds. MEHC focused on outreach and education. Our talented intern team tabled at over 120 events and spoke to over 2,600 Marinites. We also created the HFAM website, published Marin Voice columns in the IJ, and built a social media presence. Prop 5 did not pass, but the effort is resulting in a strong coalition of organizations in Marin advocating for change.
MEHC launched “Let’s Talk About Housing”
MEHC launched our free education program, Let’s Talk About Housing. This one-hour, interactive program covers the causes of high housing costs, how it impacts the community, and what can be done to address it. The program is non-partisan and has been presented throughout Marin, including to the League of Women Voters and Marin Villages. If your organization would be interested in offering the program, please email info@marinmehc.org.
MEHC’s Housing Hub tracks projects
We continue to track all things housing, including ongoing housing projects in Marin on our website. If you have something you’d like us to highlight on the website, let us know at info@marinmehc.org.
We made great strides in housing this year
It’s been decades since Marin has approved this much housing. We even approved affordable housing units in Belvedere! Still, the election results weigh heavily and will create challenges. We encourage everyone to channel their disappointment into action. MEHC will continue to advocate for projects, tenant protections, and policies. You can support our education and advocacy in many ways, including by making a tax deductible donation to MEHC.
The Housing Crisis impacts us all. See you in the new year, advocates!
