Body of News Release
Marin County, CA – In Marin County, many working families, essential workers, seniors, and young adults are being priced out of stable housing. Marin is taking a new step to expand permanently affordable housing and homeownership through support of a Community Land Trust Network of Marin (CLTN), a countywide effort focused on long-term affordability for all residents of Marin.
The County’s Office of Equity and Community Development Agency are supporting the effort in partnership with the San Francisco Community Land Trust (SFCLT), a 25-year-old organization that helps communities create and grow community land trusts.
A community land trust is a nonprofit that holds land for the long term so homes can stay affordable for future generations. People can rent or buy a home on the land trust’s property, but the parcel stays in the trust. That reduces cost and helps keep the home affordable over time.
This model can be part of the County’s overall housing solution. Increasing affordable housing options is one of the Board of Supervisors’ highest priorities, and Marin consistently ranks among the most expensive housing markets in the country. This effort can help to:
- Create stable housing options for working households
- Create homeownership opportunities for first-time homebuyers
- Reduce displacement pressure and help families stay in Marin
- Support and develop smaller-scaled properties and community-based housing solutions
The CLTN of Marin will bring together existing and emerging community land trusts, affordable housing partners, nonprofit organizations, and funders to strengthen capacity countywide. Work will include:
- Identifying what resources local land trusts need to thrive (funding, staffing, technical support)
- Building stronger partnerships to close gaps and speed up delivery of permanently affordable homes
- Developing a governance structure that includes community representation and accountability
- SFCLT will provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to help Marin’s existing and emerging land trusts to advance current and future affordable housing projects.