Affordable Housing

Community Development Agency
three photos of affordable housing in Marin County

The mission of the Affordable Housing Program is to preserve and expand the range and supply of adequate, accessible, and affordable housing through housing policies, regulations and programs. While our Agency does not manage housing units or services directly, we have included a list of resources and links to local services and providers in the ‘where can I find affordable housing’ section of this website.

Updates and Announcements

 2024-25 Funding Cycle

Funding applications are now closed for affordable housing, community infrastructure, and public services projects. Applications closed on Friday, February 16th, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. More information is available on our Funding Opportunities page.

 ADU/JADU Fee Waiver Program

Property owners in unincorporated Marin interested in building an ADU are encouraged to apply to the County's ADU Fee Waiver Program. Visit the County's ADU webpage for more information and ADU Marin for additional resources on how to build and rent second units in Marin County.

Yes there are. Affordable homes are found in nearly all neighborhoods and come in all sizes. Some examples may be seen in the slideshow.

What is Affordable Housing?

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, housing costs should equal 30% of a household's gross income. For homeowners this includes principal, interest, taxes and insurance and for renters it includes rent and utilities.

 

Board Work Plan to Preserve Affordability and Prevent Displacement

On February 9, 2016, the Marin County Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue an 18-month, 3-phase workplan to preserve housing affordability and prevent displacement. Updates on those workplan items are provided below. 

Visit our Housing Element webpage to learn more about other work being done by the Housing and Federal Grants Division.

Affordable Housing Policies

Development Code Amendments for Inclusionary Housing Policies
     Notice of Planning Commission Workshop and Hearing 
     Hearing: August 28, 2023 at 1pm
                   Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 328
                   Staff Report
                   Attachments
    
     Workshop:
August 14, 2023 at 1pm    
                       Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 328
                   
    Staff Report 
                       Attachments

Inclusionary & Commercial Linkage Fee Study Adoption
     Notice of Board of Supervisors Hearing
     Hearing: May 16, 2023 at 1pm
                   Marin County Civic Center, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 330
                   Staff Report
                   Inclusionary Housing Study        
                   Commercial Linkage Fee Study 

  • Affordable Housing Requirements — What You Need To Know
  • Marin County Development Code, Chap 22.22 - Affordable Housing requirements for new development
  • Marin County Development Code, Chap 22.24 - Affordable Housing Incentives
  • Resources & Publications

    • Marin County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) (2020) - The AI identifies barriers to fair housing choice by 1) assessing conditions, both public and private, affecting fair housing choice for all protected classes, 2) reviewing the jurisdiction's laws, regulations, and administrative policies, procedures and practices, 3) assessing how those laws, etc. affecting the location, availability and accessibility of housing, and 4) assessing the availability of affordable, accessible housing. 

      The report identifies four key impediments to fair housing choice in the county: 1) community opposition to affordable housing, 2) the cost of developing affordable housing, 3) lack of affordable housing sites, and 4) lack of opportunities for home ownership by people of color and on-going concerns of gentrification.

    • Marin County Affordable Housing Inventory (2008) - Provides a comprehensive picture of income-restricted housing in the 11 cities and towns and the unincorporated area of Marin. The inventory surveyed all affordable housing providers, which together supply 2616 units at nonprofit rental properties, 274 inclusionary rental units, 758 Below Market Rate ownership units, 573 units of public housing and 2269 Section 8 vouchers.

      The study compares the overall Marin housing market with affordable housing, including an overview of Marin's housing stock, household demographics, employment, income, and commute patterns. Data indicate that affordable housing plays a key role in providing homes for low income residents of Marin County.

    Healthy Communities

    Funding Opportunities

     

    Healthy Communities

    New and Upcoming Projects

     

    Smaller unit next to larger unit representing Accessory Dwelling Unit.

    Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

     

    Healthy Communities

    Community Land Trusts (CLT)

     

    Healthy Communities

    Community Housing Priorities