Marin County OKs Funds For Affordable Housing, Community Projects

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Marin County's Board of Supervisors has approved grant funding to help nearly two dozen projects move forward, including new affordable housing developments, community facility improvements and services for low-income residents.

The board took two actions during a meeting last week to release $6.6 million in grant money from federal and state sources, along with the county's Affordable Housing Fund. Some of that money will help the Oak Hill project, which will add 115 units of affordable housing near San Quentin.

Other beneficiaries a former Coast Guard housing facility at Point Reyes Station, a Habitat for Humanity project in northern Novato, housing for homeless veterans in southern Novato and a Project Homekey project in San Rafael.

According to the county, most of the projects are still in the planning stages and will require additional funding sources to complete. Leaders in San Rafael are considering additional funding to support the Project Homekey project.

"With help from the Countywide Priority Setting Committee, the county has focused investments on fewer projects, prioritizing projects that align with fair housing and equity goals," said Molly Kron, the senior planner. "A lot of people are eager to see these get across the finish line to help alleviate our ongoing affordable housing crisis."

Marin County this week was also granted approval on its plan to meet state housing targets through 2032, following the board's delivery of an eight-year plan to the Department of Housing and Community Development in January. That plan includes a target to build 3,569 new units in unincorporated areas, with at least 1,734 reserved for lower-income households.