Housing Meetings: A comprehensive set of policy options to address the County’s affordable housing needs was first presented to the Board of Supervisors (the "Board") through a series of three public workshops between October and December 2015. At the December workshop the Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue eleven of those policy options. An eighteen-month, three-phase implementation timeline was confirmed by the Board of Supervisors at a subsequent hearing on February 9, 2016.
At a public hearing on August 1, 2017, the Board received a comprehensive progress report on the work plan to preserve housing affordability and prevent displacement. The Board recommended that staff add an additional policy option to the work plan—exploration of a Rental Housing Dispute Resolution program (i.e., “Mandatory Mediation”)—and requested that staff research methods to collect more accurate and precise data on trends in Marin’s rental housing market. The Board referred Rental Housing Dispute Resolution and a Residential Landlord and Tenant Relations (i.e., “Just Cause for evictions”) policy options back to the Board Ad-Hoc Housing Subcommittee (“Subcommittee”) to develop a recommendation to be presented to the full Board of Supervisors later in 2017.
Implementation status and staff reports or associated materials for each work plan program are provided below.
Workshop series: Preservation of housing affordability and displacement prevention.
Phase I: August - October 2016.
A. Acquire multi-family rental properties as affordable housing. (Complete, continuing)
- Ocean Terrace Apartments (June 14, 2016): Webcast; Staff Report (English)
- Piper Court Apartments (February 9, 2016): Webcast; Staff Report (English)
B. Development Code amendments for junior second units. (Complete)
Phase II: October 2016 - February 2017.
A. Landlord incentives program. (Complete, continuing)
B. Voluntary rent guidelines. (Deleted)
C. Ordinance to establish source of income protections. (Complete)
Phase III: February - August 2017.
A. Ordinance to require Just Cause for evictions. (In progress)
B. Development Code amendments for second unit regulations. (Complete)
C. Short-term rental regulations. (In progress)
D. Second unit amnesty. (Deleted)
E. Evaluate multi-family land use designation. (In progress)
F. Re-evaluate the Housing Overlay Designation (HOD) Policy. (In progress)
Supplemental Policy.
A. Mandatory Mediation. (Implementing Rental Housing Dispute Resolution Program)
About
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.
Where Can I Find Affordable Housing?
Are There Affordable Homes in Marin?
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.
These are homes for seniors, families and individuals with special needs. This development preserved the historic Fireside Inn as offices, community center, computer lab, and Kiddie Corner for residents.
This senior complex is located in a quite single-family neighborhood and is surrounded by manicured landscaping. It is close to shopping and medical services and transit.
These homes located above retail, are near transit, services, open space and excellent and provide housing for employees as part of the mixed use Strawberry Shopping Center.
This beautiful house near downtown offers a unique shared housing community for Seniors. Community members enjoy comfortable living/media rooms, patios and decks, a dining area, flower and vegetable gardens.
This beautiful complex has views of Mount Tam and is located near services and transit. Units are accessible, with high ceilings and an open floor plan; the living roof is one of many green features of this complex.
This senior community located on the scenic Tiburon Peninsula is situated in a quiet neighborhood with trees and outdoor spaces for sitting and strolling. It is close to public transportation services.
The neighborhood of this housing for formerly homeless families includes a town center, parks, schools, cultural facilities and open space. Social service staff assist and support residents.
The garden-style apartments adjacent to a marsh restoration area are near bicycle and walking paths. These family homes have private patios and balconies, sharing landscaped grounds and a resident BBQ area.
The shingled buildings set among oak trees are located near employment, services, recreation and transit. Scenic pathways nearby offer exercise and recreation to residents.
A computer learning center, playground, and a gathering place for community events are on site. The homes near parks, transit, bike paths, shopping, hiking and a wildlife area feature views of the Bay and Mount Tam.
Nestled in the hills and connected to nature; an array of community activities are offered: remembrance writing, fitness, gardening, ESL, brain games, films, current events, chat groups, social and cultural events and many volunteer activities.
Located close to walkable community amenities and transit; community spaces, libraries, beautiful outdoor space and a community garden are included. On-site support services are provided to help them maintain residents’ health and independence.
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