Body of News Release
Point Reyes Station, CA — The ribbon has been cut, and families displaced by ranch closures in and around Point Reyes National Seashore are moving into a new temporary housing community in Point Reyes Station, the result of a partnership between the County of Marin and the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM).
The new community at 6th and B Streets includes 14 homes that serve as interim housing while plans move forward to redevelop the site into permanent affordable housing for the West Marin workforce.
The project, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting on July 8, marks a significant milestone in the County's response to the displacement of longtime West Marin residents. Since ranch closures were announced in early 2025, the Marin County Board of Supervisors and County staff have worked with community partners to develop housing solutions that would allow affected families to remain close to their jobs, schools, and support networks.
The 14 homes provide safe, energy-efficient housing for displaced families during an anticipated three- to five-year interim period. Infrastructure installed as part of the project — including utilities, septic systems, and site improvements — has been designed to support the property's future redevelopment as permanent affordable housing, maximizing the public investment.
The County's response began in March 2025 when the Board of Supervisors declared a local shelter crisis in unincorporated Marin, allowing the County to streamline regulatory requirements and accelerate temporary housing on County-owned sites. The declaration followed the announcement that dozens of households living on ranches would lose their housing as ranch operations ceased.
Staff from CLAM led a community-based process to identify potential locations for temporary housing, evaluating sites based on access to schools, employment, public transportation, and essential services. The property at 6th and B Streets — known locally as the Calf Lot — was selected because of its proximity to downtown Point Reyes Station and its potential to support future permanent affordable housing.
In June 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved the acquisition of the approximately one-acre property and partnered with CLAM to develop the site. The County purchased the property, leased it to CLAM, and provided funding for site preparation and infrastructure improvements. In total, the County invested nearly $2.5 million to help make the project possible. The County also requested $2 million in federal Community Project Funding to Congressman Jared Huffman to support development of the site, who was able to secure that funding for the B Street Lot in his final fiscal year 2025 earmarks.
The shelter crisis declaration made it possible for this site to accommodate the 14 units of housing and for the County to approve homes without permanent foundations. This accelerated completion of the project and kept the cost down. Staff from the Community Development Agency and other County departments prioritized permit review, further minimizing the time to project opening.
The County's investment reflects its ongoing commitment to expanding affordable housing throughout the county, a goal that remains a top priority for the Board of Supervisors. Since 2015, the County has committed more than $42 million toward affordable housing projects, resulting in more than 680 affordable homes through new construction, acquisition, preservation, and rehabilitation.
The County acknowledges the partnership of CLAM and the many organizations that contributed to the project's success, including Marin Community Foundation, West Marin Fund, West Marin Community Services, Huffman, local contractors, donors, volunteers, and community members who helped respond to the housing needs created by the ranch closures.
As families move into their new homes, the County and its partners will continue advancing plans to redevelop the site into permanent affordable housing, creating a lasting community asset that supports West Marin's residents, workforce, and rural economy.