TO ADDRESS ITS HOUSING SHORTAGE, California implemented a Housing Element process over 50 years ago. The process requires each local city and county to adopt a Housing Element that must be updated and certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) every 8 years (an 8-year “Housing Cycle”). So far, this program has failed…
MEHC stands for affordable housing. In Marin, conversations around affordable housing often center on the great need for workforce housing, including teacher housing. We desperately need this housing, but the conversation leaves out another group in great need of affordable housing: older residents. Marin County is experiencing a demographic transformation. While our population is stable, our…
Never mind the record-shattering atmospheric river that hit the Bay Area this October, Marin (like most of the western US) is still in a state of extreme drought. Despite the fact that local reservoirs are now up to 57% of capacity from a paltry 32% in early October, this is still well below the annual…
While cities and towns are required to plan for a certain number of affordable units—getting those units built has been a struggle. With the demise of redevelopment agencies (and funding) in 2012, jurisdictions have been forced to rely upon private for-profit and non-profit developers to create that housing. Along with public opposition, the high cost…
Many of us are still in a state of shock over the events of the last few weeks, as the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in Marin County, Bay Area and then state-wide shelter-in-place orders. As many of us fear for our own health and the health of those close to us, we are also already reeling from…
By WILL HOUSTON | whouston@marinij.com | PUBLISHED: December 18, 2019 at 5:58 pm | UPDATED: December 19, 2019 at 6:56 am Marin Independent Journal The Marin Municipal Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously this week to adopt rate and fee reductions for existing in-law units to promote affordable housing development under state law. Several residents turned out to the board meeting…
Upcoming Events and Action Alerts Here are some opportunities to speak up for affordable housing. We can’t do it without you! Please write the your elected representatives and/or speak up at public meetings.
The lack of affordable housing costs everyone The majority of Marin’s workforce commutes from other counties to work in lower-wage service jobs…which are the fastest-growing sector of Marin’s labor market. Why do 68,000 people endure the cost, time, and stress of long commutes? Most cannot afford to live close to where they work. Maybe you think that it…
Is housing a problem? Or a solution? jobs not housing cause traffic Does your candidate think that housing is part of the traffic problem, or part of the solution? Traffic is getting worse and worse. What are the candidates for the Marin Board of Supervisors going to do about it? 62% of the people who…
What’s the justice issue in housing? When you vote on June 7 or by mail for the Board of Supervisors, think about this: does the candidate stand for JUSTICE or “just us”? The candidate’s position on housing will tell you a lot. WHAT’S THE JUSTICE ISSUE IN HOUSING? The majority of people who work in…