*** GOOD NEWS ***

It is all too easy in the current swirl of COVID-19 news to lose track of some of the GOOD NEWS about affordable housing ALREADY this year. MEHC supported all of these projects, which will provide at least 134 new homes…

CLAM/Eden Win Coast Guard Bid:

This month, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously chose the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) and its nonprofit housing partner, Eden Housing, to redevelop the surplus Pt. Reyes Coast Guard housing facility into affordable housing. Over six years, CLAM actively rallied community support and championed federal legislation to guarantee this site for affordable housing. The BOS had a difficult choice before them—two Marin-born organizations, CLAM and the other bidder, EAH Housing, both presented strong proposals. In the end, an outpouring of community support tipped the balance in CLAM/Eden’s favor. At long last, this project will move forward, although it will still be several years before it is ready for occupants.  Read more here>> and here>>

Whistlestop Advances:
On March 23, the San Rafael City Council voted unanimously to approve Whistlestop and BioMarin’s redevelopment plan for 999 Third Street. Whistlestop will build four floors (66 units) of affordable senior housing on top of a two-story senior center in downtown San Rafael. This project has been in the pipeline for a long time, and is projected to be completed in 2022. Read more here>>

Mill Street Shelter to Expand:
On April 6, the San Rafael City Council voted unanimously to approve Homeward Bound’s plans to expand its Mill Street Shelter in the Canal neighborhood to include both a 60-bed emergency shelter and 32 units of permanent supportive housing for those transitioning out of homelessness. This project allowed the City to pilot use of California’s new Assembly Bill 2162 to fast-track this project. Read more>>

Loch Lomond Marina BMR Buyout:
On April 20, 2020,, the San Rafael City Council voted unanimously to allow the developer of the Loch Lomond Marina project (The Strand) to buy out part of its inclusionary zoning requirement. In return for a $3.6 million contribution to the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the developer will no longer be required to complete the six remaining below-market rate homes it originally agreed to build. MEHC opposed this buyout, noting that “The 2020 analysis of the impediments to fair housing recognized that allowing in-lieu fees to avoid integrating BMR units within primarily or exclusively market rate projects may circumvent one of the primary goals of inclusionary zoning – housing desegregation. Affordable housing belongs in all neighborhoods in Marin.” Read more>>