Big news! We’ve added new housing program data - check them out under “Housing Programs” on each city page.
Housing programs are the strategies that cities and counties legally have at their disposal to produce more and preserve existing affordable housing, as well as protect existing residents from getting displaced from their homes and communities.
Local housing programs, as part of a housing element, have significant impacts on a city or county reaching its affordable housing goals. Each additional housing policy has a significant impact on the residents who are most in need of affordable housing. However, the number of programs that a jurisdiction includes in their housing element is not meant to imply how well a city or county is addressing local housing needs since the quality and impact of each will need to be determined as well.
Use the below data to explore this jurisdiction’s approaches to affirmatively furthering fair housing for the 6th element cycle, and review the actions, deliverables, and deadlines committed to for each program.
PROGRAM NUMBER | ACTIONS | DELIVERABLE | DELIVERABLE DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-2.14.b | Encourage and facilitate ADU and JADU development to provide additional housing opportunities throughout established neighborhoods. Take the following actions: a. Develop a handout on ADU standards and the application process and distribute at Town Hall. b. Promote the MarinADU.org website in the Town’s newsletter and ADU handout, on social media, and on the Town’s website. c. Provide workshops for property owners interested in developing an ADU, covering topics such as Town regulations for ADUs and processing of ADU permits, designing and constructing an ADU, setting an affordable rent, and complying with fair housing laws. d. Provide links to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Sources of Income Fact Sheet and FAQ in Town communications and provide printed handouts at the building counter. e. Organize and conduct a day-long tour of new ADUs in Corte Madera for community members interested in building an ADU. Promote the tour through the Town’s newsletter, social media, website, and banners | Develop handout, promote MarinADU.org website, and conduct workshop and tour in 2023. Ongoing annual promotion thereafter. Conduct additional workshop and tours as needed to ensure ADU production is meeting average annual target of 12.5 units per year. Develop 100 new ADUs and JADUs by the end of 2030. Targeting: residential zones townwide | End of 2030 |
In December 2022, the Town adopted an ordinance establishing regulations for the subdivision and development of qualified SB 9 applications. The Town’s regulations allow for larger unit sizes than the 800 square feet established by state statute. In instances where the proposed unit meets the setbacks of the applicable zone, the maximum allowable size is 1,200 square feet. The Town received eight urban lot split applications within the first eleven months after the state law went into effect on January 1, 2022 (one application was subsequently withdrawn). Based on this track record, the Town is targeting 80 new units on single family-zoned parcels. | Based on this track record, the Town is targeting 80 new units on single family-zoned parcels. | End of 2030 | |
| H-2.7.a | Prior to adoption of the housing element, the Town rezoned ten sites encompassing 18 parcels to increase the maximum density to 25 to 40 units per acre, which accommodate 87% of the housing site capacity of 1,007 units. The Town will facilitate the development of affordable housing on these sites through the following programs: ... Encourage cooperative and joint ventures between owners, developers, and non-profit groups in the provision of below market rate housing and senior housing. Work with non-profits and property owners to seek opportunities for affordable housing development on key housing opportunity sites that are close to services, transit, and jobs. Undertake the following actions to encourage development of multi-family, affordable, and senior housing: a. Meet with non-profit housing developers and property owners of housing opportunity sites to identify housing development opportunities, issues, and needs during 2023. b. Select the most viable sites during 2023 and 2024. c. Undertake community outreach in coordination with potential developers and property owners during 2023 and 2024. d. Complete site planning studies, continued community outreach, and regulatory approvals in coordination with the development application. e. Facilitate development through regulatory incentives, reducing or waiving fees, fast track processing, lot consolidation, and assistance in development review. f. Apply for and/or allocate state and local affordable housing funds to the project g. Require affordable units to be affirmatively marketed to communities of color and protected classes. Utilize publications, venues, and community groups, such as Canal Alliance, that serve Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities, including outside of Marin County. | Develop 168 very low and low income units in 100% affordable housing developments. Targeting: Housing sites #1-10 | |
| H-2.10.a | As part of the development review process, offer the following incentives to encourage the development of affordable housing: a. Facilitating Affordable Housing Development Review. Projects that provide 100% affordable housing units shall receive the highest priority and efforts will be made by staff and decision makers to: (1) provide technical assistance to potential affordable housing developers in processing requirements, including community involvement; (2) consider project funding and timing needs in the processing and review of the application; (3) waive or reduce fees, and (4) provide the fastest turnaround time possible determining application completeness. b. Coordination with Other Agencies. Coordinate with service providers and other agencies as necessary to create opportunities for the development to be built. Use Affordable Housing Fund monies as appropriate to achieve greater affordability and/o project feasibility | Develop 168 very low and low income units in 100% affordable housing developments. Targeting: Housing sites #1-10 | |
| H-2.12.a | The Town’s Zoning Ordinance currently requires residential developments involving one or more units to provide a percentage of units or an in-lieu fee for very low-, low-, and moderate-income housing. Continue to implement the Affordable Housing Ordinance to achieve more balanced and integrated housing developments and neighborhoods. | Develop 141 affordable housing units in marketrate developments. Targeting: Housing sites #1-10 | |
| H-1.11.a | Publicize and participate in rental assistance programs such as Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in coordination with the Marin Housing Authority (MHA). Utilize the Town’s website, newsletter, social media, and handouts to publicize programs. Provide multilingual links to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Sources of Income Fact Sheet and FAQ and printed materials. | Collaborate with at least two other organization, schools, or agencies to post handouts at their locations. Update website and distribute handouts and brochures by 2024. Dedicate one Town newsletter each year to promote Housing Choice vouchers and educate community members on fair housing laws. Increase the number of Housing Choice Vouchers utilized in Corte Madera by 50%, to 51. | 2024; annual; enf of planning period |
| H-2.5.a | Promote first-time homebuyer programs and housing counseling programs offered by the County, including the Affordable Housing and Home Buyer Readiness Program and the Below Market Rate Home Ownership Program. Work with the County to target Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and single parent households. Utilize the Town’s website, newsletter, counter handouts, and social media channels to promote programs. | s. Update the Town’s website by 2023 and promote programs annually. Target 20 individuals to participate in first-time homebuyer programs by 2030. | 2023; 2030 |
To improve housing mobility and new housing choices in areas throughout the Town, a suite of actions will be employed and targeted outside of the multifamily sites listed in the Site Inventory, with an overall goal of 80 housing opportunities affordable to lower income households in the planning period. Actions include: . Homesharing. The Town will support a homesharing program and assist in matching tenants with existing homeowners with the goal of completing 2 matches per year. The Town will obtain and distribute brochures from a local nonprofit homesharing program, provide information on the Town’s website, and dedicate one Town newsletter each year to promote home match service programs. 2. Alternative Land Use Strategies. The Town will identify additional housing opportunity sites including government-owned properties, such as the MMWD and DMV sites, religious institutions, and sites with existing buildings nearing the end of their useful life or in need of substantial repair and redevelopment. The Town will work closely with property owners, housing developers, the community, and other stakeholders to identify housing development opportunities and, as necessary, undertake rezoning actions to facilitate a variety of housing choices, with the goal of creating 50 new housing opportunities in the planning period. 3. Affirmative Marketing. Throughout the planning period, the Town will require affordable housing projects and market rate projects with affordable inclusionary units to conduct a targeted marketing program for affordable units. The Town will require affordable units to be affirmatively marketed to communities of color and protected classes. The targeted marketing plan will utilize publications, venues, and community groups, such Canal Alliance, that serve Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities, including those outside of Marin County. The targeted marketing plan will consider regional housing registries and ensure marketing materials for new developments are designed to attract renters and buyers of diverse demographics, including persons of any race, ethnicity, income, disability and familial status. 4. Accessibility Improvements. Throughout the planning period, the Town will provide funding to homeowners to make accessibility improvements to community infrastructure such as sidewalks with the goal of funding five projects per year. 5. In 2026, the Town will evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in promoting housing opportunities throughout the Town. As needed, the Town will develop incentives or other strategies to promote housing choices and affordability in all developments throughout the Town | overall goal of 80 housing opportunities affordable to lower income households in the planning period. Targeting: Areas outside multifamily sites listed in the Site Inventory | In the planning period | |
1. Provide information on Corte Madera’s SB 9 standards. 2. Provide SB 9 application checklists on the Town’s website. 3. Develop a handout on SB 9 standards and the application process and distribute at Town Hall and to all property owners of vacant single family lots. 4. Promote SB 9 potential via handouts, FAQs and information on the Town’s website. 5. In 2026, evaluate the objective design and development standards adopted for SB 9 housing projects to ensure that the objective standards facilitate SB 9 housing developments. If necessary, the Town will adopt amendments to the objective design and development standards | To improve housing mobility and new housing choices in low-density and high-income areas throughout the Town, the Town will take actions to facilitate “missing middle” housing development by intensifying development opportunities on single family lots, with a goal to create 40 new SB 9 units in the planning period. To encourage and facilitate SB 9 unit development, the Town will take the following actions...targeting: Areas outside multifamily sites listed in the city inventory | Actions 1-4 will be completed by 2024 with annual promotion of SB 9 potential thereafter; 2026 | |
| H-1.2.b | Publicize the Town’s housing discrimination referral program. Encourage Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC) to conduct more fair housing testing in Corte Madera. Post information on the Town’s website by the end of 2023 and provide information on the housing discrimination complaint process annually. Outreach to FHANC by the end of 2023. Increase fair housing testing in Corte Madera to at least once per year. | Post information on the Town’s website by the end of 2023 and provide information on the housing discrimination complaint process annually. Outreach to FHANC by the end of 2023. Increase fair housing testing in Corte Madera to at least once per year. | Post information on the Town’s website by the end of 2023 and provide information on the housing discrimination complaint process annually. Outreach to FHANC by the end of 2023. Increase fair housing testing in Corte Madera to at least once per year. |
| H-1.2.c | g. Work with Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California to conduct training sessions for Town employees regarding the receipt, documentation, and proper referral of housing discrimination complaints and other fair housing issues. Conduct biennial training sessions for staff beginning in 2023. | Conduct biennial training sessions for staff beginning in 2023. | biennial |
| H-4.1.a | Provide information and promote programs and resources for affordable housing, rental assistance, and fair housing laws. Utilize the Town’s website, newsletter, counter handouts, and social media. Post information on the website and provide written material at public locations by the end of 2023. Dedicate one Town newsletter each year to promote housing programs and resources and educate community members on fair housing laws. Annual outreach to local nonprofits and service organizations. Increase Town newsletter circulation by 20%, from 6,700 to 8,040. | Annual outreach to local non-profits and service organizations. Increase Town newsletter circulation by 20%, from 6,700 to 8,040. | Annual |
| H-2.4.b | Educate landlords and tenants on fair housing laws related to ADUs. Provide links to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Sources of Income Fact Sheet and FAQ in Town communications and printed handouts at the building counter. Update the Town’s website and provide counter handouts by the end of 2023. Update and publicize annually thereafter. | Update the Town’s website and provide counter handouts by the end of 2023. Update and publicize annually thereafter. Targeting. Single family zoning districts townwide | Update the Town’s website and provide counter handouts by the end of 2023. Update and publicize annually thereafter. Targeting. Single family zoning districts townwide |
| H-4.1.a | Provide information on the Town’s Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance and fair housing laws. Utilize the Town’s website, newsletter, counter handouts, and social media. Post information on the website and provide written material at public locations by the end of 2023. Dedicate one Town newsletter each year to educate community members on fair housing laws and reasonable accommodation. Increase Town newsletter circulation by 20%, from 6,700 to 8,040. | Annually, end of 2023 | |
| H-3.5.b | In cooperation with the Marin Housing Authority (MHA), improve citizen awareness of rehabilitation loan programs, especially in older neighborhoods such as Marina Village, Madera Gardens, and in the Willow/Old Corte Madera Square area. Utilize the Town’s website, newsletter, social media, and counter handout to publicize programs. Update the Town’s website by the end of 2023 and update and publicize annually thereafter. Facilitate loans for eight lower-income households by the end of 2030. | Facilitate loans for eight lower-income households by the end of 2030. Targeting: Older neighborhoods such as Marina Village, Madera Gardens, and in the Willow/Old Corte Madera Square area | Facilitate loans for eight lower-income households by the end of 2030. Targeting: Older neighborhoods such as Marina Village, Madera Gardens, and in the Willow/Old Corte Madera Square area |
| H-3.7.a | In response to the Caltrans proposed improvements to the Tamalpais Drive overcrossing scheduled for construction in 2025, support and advocate for a safe and comfortable multi-modal connection, via a separated bicycle and pedestrian path, between the east and west side of Highway 101 on Tamalpais Drive, and for safety and access improvements to public transit (bus stops). | Support and advocate for a safe and comfortable multi-modal connection, via a separated bicycle and pedestrian path, between the east and west side of Highway 101 on Tamalpais Drive, and for safety and access improvements to public transit (bus stops). Targeting: Tamalpais Drive Highway 101 overcrossing | |
Prioritize the Capital Improvement Plan, the City’s annual budget, and available grants and funding sources according to areas of high need and ensure equitable distribution of funds. Focus neighborhood improvement projects in areas where new construction of lower income housing occurs, enhancing mobility and connectivity to higher income areas, access to services and amenities, safe routes to school, climate resiliency (e.g., planting of street trees and flood mitigation), etc. Identify and complete at least 10 improvement projects by 2030 in areas identified in the Site Inventory for lower income housing. | Identify and complete at least 10 improvement projects by 2030 in areas identified in the Site Inventory for lower income housing. | 2030 | |
Require all residential projects on housing opportunity sites to provide a transportation demand management program and include measures to enhance equitable access to transportation such as 1) subsidizing transit passes for residents of affordable housing, and 2) providing car-sharing, bike sharing, or scooter sharing programs. | Target 130 subsidized transit passes and three car-sharing, bike sharing, or scooter sharing programs. Targeting: Areas where lower-income housing is developed on housing opportunity sites | ||
| H-3.2.b | Work with the County of Marin and other Marin jurisdictions to develop strategies that protect tenants from rapidly rising rents and displacement. These may include: • Rent stabilization • Just cause for eviction • Local relocation assistance • Right to Purchase • Right to Return • Tenant Bill of Rights | Develop options with Marin jurisdictions in 2024 and bring forward for ordinance adoption in 2025. | Develop options with Marin jurisdictions in 2024 and bring forward for ordinance adoption in 2025. |