This newly amended housing element reduces allowable densities in downtown Sausalito, removes a requirement for permitting analysis and objective design standards, and extends a number of deadlines, and replaces a non-viable housing element site. MEHC, along with a number of pro-affordable housing organizations, wrote to HCD after the certification of the original housing element regarding concerns…
Here’s an update as of August 2024 on local Marin progress from Sheri Joseph of Tam Pacific: The local goal of ending Veteran homelessness is in reach, thanks to the development of Homeward Bound’s Puett Place and the extraordinary efforts by staff in coordination with other County entities. 1) Puett Place will open with 24 units…
Marin’s history of environmental protection is our defining pride. Yet our development practices are fundamentally anti-environmental. Our history of environmental protection is Marin County’s defining pride. Outside narrow strips along Highways 1 and 101, rolling green hills rise and fall, mostly undisturbed by development, before meeting the brooding beauty of miles of untouched coastline. Compare this image with…
Community Land TrustsTaking the cost of land out of the cost of housing, by Tom McCafferty, MEHC board member; Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) Project Manager Marin can ensure long-term affordability and enhance communities by utilizing the Community Land Trust model. In an era of escalating home prices and stagnant wages, finding affordable housing…
RHNA Tracking and Housing Element ImplementationJurisdictions will need significant resources to meet commitments Marin’s 6th Housing Element Cycle officially kicked off Jan 31, 2024. Although several Marin cities and towns are still finalizing their housing elements, all jurisdictions must still take action to meet their state housing goals (RHNA, the Regional Housing Needs Allocation). Every April, each jurisdiction…
As more jurisdictions implement and update their tenant protections, this list will reflect those changes. MEHC supports tenant protections. Unincorporated Marin (Just Cause) San Rafael (Just Cause) Fairfax (Rent Stabilization and Just Cause) State Renter Protections (Rent Stabilization and Just Cause) Larkspur (Rent Stabilization and Just Cause)
HOUSING AND TRAFFIC: Growth restrictions have displaced workers by Warren Wells We’ve all heard that California, and Marin in particular, are facing a severe housing crisis. Home values and apartment rents keep rising, leading owners to cash out and renters to be pushed out. We’ve heard from politicians that we need to build more to keep…
What’s happening in Marin? A review of active, inactive, and completed housing projects. Every day, it seems there is another headline about a housing project. It might feel like we are experiencing a building boom here. But while we are considering some of the largest projects to be built in decades, such as the Northgate Town Center project…
A short primer on affordable housing, BAHFA and BAHA, and potentially game-changing funding! Marinites overwhelmingly want more affordable housing.According to the Marin County 2023 Community Survey, it is the #1 issue that Marinites would like our local governments to address. But how can we build more affordable housing? And what does this have to do with the…