Measure W Fund for Community Housing - Fund Expenditure and Working Group Information

Community Development Agency
 

Measure W Fund for Community Housing 

Measure W Tax Area

On November 6, 2018, the voters of West Marin passed Measure W to establish the West Marin Transient Occupancy Tax area. In recognition of the impacts of visitors to the area, the increase in the transient occupancy tax approved by the measure will provide increased funding for enhanced fire/emergency services and long-term community housing. The CDA will administer the Measure W Community Housing Fund. The measure allows for an ad-hoc working group to help inform CDA’s recommendations to the Marin County Board of Supervisors. The Working Group will be comprised of between five (5) and nine (9) members as selected by the CDA Director. Oversight for the Measure W Community Housing Fund is provided by the Measure W West Marin TOT Oversight Committee.

If you have any questions, please email the Housing and Federal Grants Division or call (415) 473-6697.

 

Updates and Announcements 

 Measure W Committee Application Closed

Applications were due October 20th. We are reviewing applications and will follow-up with applicants in late November/early December.

Applications for Project Funding:

Applications for funding are accepted on a rolling basis. You can find the application form in the Project Funding Application tab below.

 

Project Funding Application

Funding Applications for Measure W Community Housing Fund

Applications for funding opened on January 6, 2020 and the application period is ongoing.

Nonprofits serving West Marin are highly encouraged to apply as projects move forward, as there is no application deadline. When evaluating applications, staff consider the identified priorities along with project feasibility, distribution of funds across the Measure W Tax Area, and overall impact on local community housing. 

The priorities for 2023 identified by the Measure W Working Group on Community Housing and approved by the Board of Supervisors include:

  • Housing needs study – A study of the Measure W Tax Area establishing a baseline understanding of housing market conditions, needs, and barriers.
  • Housing production – Funding to support the pre-development, acquisition, development, and preservation of rental and homeownership housing for the West Marin population and workforce, including:
    •  Housing for families, seniors, all types of agricultural workers, people with disabilities, essential workers (for example, education workers), fire & safety persons, medical & dental providers, and trade workers (plumbers/electricians/septic/etc.)
    • Acquisition, pre-development, preservation and development of single-unit and multi-unit projects that will serve the needs of the West Marin population
    • Conversion of existing vacant or underutilized buildings and convert to housing
    • Support for creative strategies such as Age in Place and Co-ownership
    • Support to increase rentals within existing homes through JADU's and ADU's, share rentals
    • Transitional/temporary rental housing, such as:
      • Emergency and transitional housing for families and survivors of domestic violence
      • Trauma recovery residence
      • Rental housing for seasonal workers
  • Direct housing assistance – Funding to help stabilize West Marin families and individuals at risk of losing current housing and in need of support to acquire new housing, including:
    • Emergency rental assistance
    • Security deposit assistance
    • Down payment assistance

More information about the priorities, funding allocations, and application process can be found in the Application Guidelines provided below.


Application Materials

Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis.

Application Guidelines

Fillable PDF Application Form

Housing Acquisition and Construction Project Budget

Housing Study and Rent & Security Deposit Assistance Project Budget

Applications may be submitted via email, mail, or in person to one of the addressed below.

Email applications may be sent to Housing and Federal Grants Division.

Mailing Address/Physical Address (if dropping off application):

County of Marin
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 308
San Rafael, CA 94903
Attn: Housing & Federal Grants Division


Questions may be submitted to the Housing and Federal Grants Division.

Measure W Documents

Measure W Working Group Members

Measure W Working Group

In July 2019, the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) Director, Brian Crawford, appointed nine (9) community members that live or work in West Marin to participate on the Measure W Working Group on Fund Expenditures for Community Housing ("Working Group"). The purpose of the Working Group is to identify housing needs in West Marin, such as rental support, new construction, and housing for persons with disabilities. This helps establish priorities for Measure W funding. The Board of Supervisors and County staff will consider the Working Group's recommendations when awarding funds to specific projects.

Current Members:

Name Area Term End
Arianne Dar Bolinas 2024
Ashley Harriman Point Reyes Station 2023
Cassandra Benjamin Inverness 2024
Eva Thomas San Geronimo Valley 2024
Heidi Smith Stinson Beach 2024
Scott Hochstrasser Tomales 2024
Stacey Laumann Point Reyes Station 2023
Tamara Hicks Tomales 2023
Yareli Cervantes Point Reyes Station 2023

Working Group Meetings