Happy New Year, fellow housing nerds and policy wonks!There is a lot to catch up on! The 2023 California legislative season ended in October with record-setting housing activity, November was for equal parts pats-on-the-back and wound-licking, and December was the time to rest and get ready to start the maddening but addictingly fun process all over…
What are Marin cities and towns, and the county, doing to prevent displacement? As housing costs in Marin continue to soar despite national trends, tenant protections have become a hot topic. Fairfax, Larkspur, and unincorporated Marin County have implemented or are discussing tenant protections. Though many of the Marin Housing Elements contain provisions promising to implement protections, these provisions remain controversial. Anti-displacement…
On January 29, Governor Newsom signed legislation extending the State’s eviction moratorium through June 2021 and implementing a rental assistance program designed to help renters pay rent and property owners receive rental income.
UPDATE San Rafael, Novato & County: On January 19th, the City of San Rafael City Council adopted a temporary “rent freeze” ordinance for tenants residing in certain residential units through December 31, 2021. The temporary moratorium solely applies in two designated US Census Tracts, Tract Nos. 1122.01 (Canal Neighborhood) and 1122.02 (Southeast San Rafael and Canal neighborhood), which have been…
The countywide moratorium on pandemic-related evictions expired in September, having been replaced by a statewide moratorium that provides relief through January 31, 2021 for tenants who submit a declaration form and pay at least 25% of their September–January rent. On January 12th, the Marin County Board of Supervisors re-instituted its local moratorium, which will remain effective…
LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEWS Funding for Legal Assistance for Tenants: On September 15, the Marin County Board of supervisors voted to provide $400,000 for legal assistance to low-income tenants and mediation of landlord-tenant disputes. Most of this funding will go to Legal Aid of Marin to provide assistance to tenants, while another portion will provide…
Many analysts are projecting a massive surge of COVID-19-related evictions when eviction moratoriums around the state and nation expire. While many California counties have been working to reopen their economies, the number of COVID-19 cases is increasing and an increase in the number of homeless people on our streets would exacerbate this public health crisis. …
MEHC’s partner organization, the Multicultural Center of Marin, led by MEHC Board member Douglas Mundo, has been re-funded to continue its Canal Community Resilience Council (CCRC) project for another year, through mid-2021. MEHC is pleased to be able to continue to provide technical support on this project. The CCRC is intended to build community resilience…
Like climate change, a pandemic disproportionately impacts low-income communities, even in Marin. Insufficient affordable housing and consequent crowding, unhealthy environmental conditions like poor air quality and flooding, low wages and inadequate access to healthcare and nutritious food all contribute to making low-income Marin residents particularly vulnerable in a crisis. It’s even worse in immigrant communities…