Increasing Affordable Housing
Marin is widely recognized as having one of the least affordable housing markets in the United States. With median home sales above $800,000, lower-wage earners face considerable challenges finding housing in Marin that's affordable and located close to work, school, and transportation. The high cost of housing leaves many families in Marin with less to spend on food, childcare, and health care, and less to invest in savings. Seniors are priced out of the neighborhoods in which they have spent their lives. Health care workers, farm workers, bank tellers, and teachers cannot afford to live in the community where they work.
Strategy 1: Increasing public support for affordable housing and influence zoning changes that support affordable housing
By removing barriers to development, Marin can create a range of housing choices at different levels of affordability that preserve the environment and increase the diversity of Marin. MCF is partnering with nonprofit organizations that foster inclusive housing policies at the local level and advocate for changes in public policies that have impeded development. This work also focuses on identifying innovative financing mechanisms to accelerate new affordable housing development in Marin.
Grants made since the implementation of MCF's Strategic Plan:
Strategy 1 Grants
| Organization |
Description |
Awarded Amount |
| Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$204,000.00 |
| Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$226,000.00 |
| Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$58,000.00 |
| Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$386,000.00 |
| Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$280,000.00 |
| People for Open Space, Inc./Greenbelt Alliance |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$120,000.00 |
| People for Open Space, Inc./Greenbelt Alliance |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$307,000.00 |
| People for Open Space, Inc./Greenbelt Alliance |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$23,000.00 |
| People for Open Space, Inc./Greenbelt Alliance |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$192,000.00 |
| People for Open Space, Inc./Greenbelt Alliance |
To help local elected officials make decisions that improve affordable housing policies in Marin. |
$167,000.00 |
| Total Grants Strategy 1: |
$1,963,000.00 |
Strategy 2: Making investments in affordable housing, both rental properties and owned housing, that take advantage of specific market opportunities
MCF is partnering with affordable housing developers, homeless service providers, and local jurisdictions to increase affordable housing options in Marin. Funding in this area is balancing new housing production with emerging market opportunities to increase the supply of homes that are affordable to people with lower incomes.
Grants made since the implementation of MCF's Strategic Plan:
Strategy 2 Grants
| Organization |
Description |
Awarded Amount |
| Community Land Trust Association of West Marin |
To support the Blue House Project to renovate and provide two units of affordable, energy-efficient housing in West Marin. |
$50,000.00 |
| Eden Housing |
To support the construction of 61 units of senior housing at Warner Creek in Novato. |
$1,000,000.00 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco |
To help communities in Novato, San Rafael, and other Marin neighborhoods recover from the foreclosure crisis. |
$250,000.00 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco |
To help communities in Novato, San Rafael, and other Marin neighborhoods recover from the foreclosure crisis. |
$200,000.00 |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco |
To support predevelopment efforts for affordable housing in Marin County. |
$125,000.00 |
| Homeward Bound of Marin |
To support affordable housing. |
$300,000.00 |
| Homeward Bound of Marin |
To support Oma Village: Housing for Working Families. |
$600,000.00 |
| Marin Workforce Housing Trust |
To support development of a communication and marketing plan. |
$7,000.00 |
| Marin Workforce Housing Trust |
To support the farm worker housing pilot program. |
$750,000.00 |
| Suburban Alternatives Land Trust |
To support the acquisition and rehabilitation of real estate-owned properties. |
$250,000.00 |
| Total Grants Strategy 2: |
$3,532,000.00 |
Strategy 3: Help people at risk of homelessness to remain housed
Housing trends reported in Marin reveal an increase in the number of families and individuals that are precariously housed, including people who face eviction, pay over half of household income on rent, or live in substandard housing. MCF is funding organizations that provide services such as financial assistance, crisis intervention, foreclosure prevention, and mediation.
Grants made since the implementation of MCF's Strategic Plan:
Strategy 3 Grants
| Organization |
Description |
Awarded Amount |
| Adopt A Family of Marin |
To prevent homelessness among children in Marin. |
$150,000.00 |
| Adopt A Family of Marin |
To provide matching funds to utilize the County Emergency Contingency Funds. |
$150,000.00 |
| Gilead House |
To provide transitional housing and life skills that lead toward a stable life and permanent housing. |
$45,833.00 |
| Homeward Bound of Marin |
To help people at risk of homelessness to remain affordably housed. |
$75,000.00 |
| Homeward Bound of Marin |
To provide vital services to keep formerly homeless people housed. |
$75,000.00 |
| Marin Community Foundation |
To provide consultant support in engaging the community to create a farm worker housing pilot. |
$75,000.00 |
| Marin Community Foundation |
To support Agricultural Worker Housing Development. |
$75,000.00 |
| Marin Partnership to End Homelessness |
To support Marin Partnership to End Homelessness. |
$78,700.00 |
| Marin Workforce Housing Trust |
To provide housing for agricultural workers. |
$125,000.00 |
| Ritter Center |
To support affordable housing programs. |
$220,000.00 |
| Ritter Center |
To support the Housing First program for the chronically homeless. |
$200,000.00 |
| Total Grants Strategy 3: |
$1,269,533.00 |
| Total Affordable Housing Grants: |
$6,764,533.00 |
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