Unincorporated Marin

Program 2.d - Foster linkages to Health and Human Services programs.

Respond to special needs through comprehensive services.

(Complete, on-going.) When appropriate, Housing and Federal Grants staff coordinate housing and service funding opportunities with Health and Human Services (HHS) staff. Since the start of COVID-19 and subsequent shelter-in-place orders, Housing and Federal Grants staff have worked very closely with HHS staff in direct pandemic housing response around Marin’s emergency motels, rental assistance and Homekey programs. Since 2020, the County Community Development Agency and Health and Human Services have collaboratively secured three Homekey sites and continue exploring additional opportunities. Also see response to program 2.e, “support efforts to house the homeless.”

Program. 2.g - Ensure reasonable accommodation.

Reduce barriers in housing for individuals with disabilities.

(Complete, on-going.) Housing and Federal Grants Division staff actively refer tenants in need of assistance making reasonable accommodation requests in the private housing market to the Marin Center for Independent Living (MCIL) and Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC). MCIL was issued a contract for $60,922 to continue implementing its Residential Accessibility Modification Program to help keep low-income individuals with disabilities living independently in their own homes. FHANC received a $65,000 allocation to support its fair housing monitoring and assistance. It intervened on behalf of 27 households requesting reasonable accommodations and succeeded in securing reasonable accommodation concessions in 18 of those cases. Also see response to program 1.f, “review and consider updating parking standards.”

Program. 3.j – Provide and participate in local affordable housing training and education.

Serve as a resource to the community; seek to expand staff knowledge related to affordable housing.

(Complete, on-going.) Housing and Federal Grants Division staff participated in community workshops and training sessions related to federal and HUD budget proposals and appropriations, cultural intelligence and competency, Fair Housing, HOME, HOME-ARP, reasonable accommodation and accessibility, tenant protection policies, 2022 state housing legislation, the National Environmental Protection Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, the California Building Code, disaster housing recovery for vulnerable populations, affordable housing preservation, Inclusionary Zoning, energy efficiency and housing, permanent housing models in rural communities, urban design, and farmworker housing, and Marin Policy briefings. In addition, the Division hosted an affirmative marketing training with Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California for over 50 nonprofit service and housing providers. Staff also attended community engagement technical workshops and AB 686 webinars hosted by ABAG. Staff attended the APA California Conference that included workshops on outreach, new housing laws, regional collaboration, and Housing Element compliance. Staff participated in the Preservation Next Academy that included training on acquisition, property identification, evaluation, housing preservation development models, and sustainable business planning and financial modeling for affordable housing preservation.

Program 2.c - Make provisions for multifamily housing amenities.

Make appropriate consideration for families with children and larger households.

(Complete, on-going.) Consistent with guidance from HUD on the County’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) obligations, staff actively encourages development of affordable, multifamily housing opportunities for families with children and larger households in areas of opportunity. The County also supports the creation of housing opportunities for families with children and larger households through its non-discrimination and affirmative marketing policies (see response to program 2.h, "require non-discrimination clauses"). The County prioritizes housing for families when making funding recommendations for HOME and CDBG funds. Additionally, program goals for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds include family housing, as directed and approved by the Countywide Priority Setting Committee (PSC). In 2022, the County allocated funding for the development, rehabilitation, or acquisition of 444 units of family housing using HTF, CDBG, HOME, PLHA, LHTF, and Measure W funds.

Program. 2.l - Deter housing discrimination.

Demonstrate responsiveness to discrimination complaints; promote the principles of fair housing.

(Complete, on-going.) Since the adoption of the County’s source of income ordinance to prevent discrimination against tenants with third-party housing vouchers, Housing and Federal Grants staff have dedicated resources to support incorporated jurisdictions with research and development of their own source of income protections. The Town of Fairfax, the City of Novato, the Town of San Anselmo, and the City of San Rafael adopted similar source of income ordinances. Staff continue to provide technical assistance and resources to other Marin jurisdictions. CDA staff continue to refer discrimination complaints to Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California or other appropriate legal services, County or State agencies.

Program. 3.i - Undertake Housing Element monitoring, evaluation, and revisions.

Evaluate progress, review accomplishments and modify as needed.

(Complete, on-going.) The County submitted its 2021 Annual Progress Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office and Planning and Research in advance of the filing deadline.

Program. 3.d - Coordinate with regional transportation and housing activities.

Maximize housing opportunity sites; decrease transportation congestion; participate in regional planning exercises.

(Complete, on-going.) CDA works closely with the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to produce informative local data. Representatives from those agencies attend regular area planning director’s meetings.

Program. 3.f - Promote countywide collaboration on housing.

Collaborate with Marin cities and towns to address regional planning and housing issues.

(Complete, on-going) Staff work with all towns and cities in Marin through the CDBG Priority Setting Committee (PSC) to fund affordable housing and ensure that jurisdictions affirmatively further fair housing. In 2023, Staff continued to convene a countywide working group of planners to encourage interjurisdictional collaboration on housing issues and solutions, with a specific focus on responding to 2017 State housing Package. The working group established common goals and coordinated on housing legislation, planning, production, and preservation of existing affordability. The working group applied jointly for SB2 planning grants in the summer and fall of 2019 and have started to collaborate on these grant projects including Objective Design and Development Standards, an ADU Workbook and Website, and Inclusionary housing program updates. The group received funds from ABAG to work collaboratively on shared Housing Element deliverables including translation dollars, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing products, and a countywide website. Additionally, the group is using funds for future Housing Element implementation.

Program. 3.n - Coordinate among project funders.

Serve as a coordinator among local funders.

(Complete, on-going). Housing and Federal Grants Division staff actively participate in a committee of funders that evaluates potential acquisitions of existing housing and other opportunities for maximizing affordable housing stock throughout the County. Regular participants also include the City of San Rafael, Marin Community Foundation, Marin Housing Authority, and Tamalpais Foundation.

Program. 2.h - Require non-discrimination clauses.

Reduce discrimination.

(Complete, on-going.) The County requires non-discrimination clauses in contracts to which it is a party. Housing and Federal Grants staff developed an affirmative marketing tool and implemented a requirement for applicants requesting Federal Grants and Housing Trust Fund monies to submit affirmative marketing plans as part of their funding applications. The Federal Grants program does not execute contracts until an awardee’s affirmative marketing plan has received approval. Awardees must implement their approved affirmative marketing plan to be eligible for reimbursement.

Program. 2.m - Implement the Inclusionary Housing Policy.

Maximize opportunities for affordable housing, particularly with long-term affordability controls and for households at the deepest levels of affordability.

(Complete, on-going.) The County’s longstanding inclusionary housing policy requires subdivisions that result in the creation of two or more lots to dedicate 20 percent of their lots or units as housing affordable to low-income households. Subdivisions with inclusionary obligations equivalent to less than half of a dwelling unit may pay an in-lieu housing fee commensurate to the value of that fractional unit. The County adjusts its in-lieu housing fee annually based on the higher of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Shelter for the Construction Cost Index (CCI) published by the Engineering-News Record. See also response to program 2.n, “apply long-term housing affordability controls.” In response to the Governor’s approval of AB 1505, which renewed the County’s authority to extend its inclusionary zoning policy to rental housing units, The Board adopted an amendment to its Development Code to renew that application of its inclusionary zoning policy to the rental housing development projects. The County is working with other Marin Cities and Towns on updating our inclusionary programs, to ensure each jurisdiction has an inclusionary policy, provide more consistency across jurisdictions and to insure that our policies are aligned with best practices and current market conditions. Partner jurisdictions expect to adopt new policies by June 30, 2023.

Program. 2.s - Link code enforcement with public information systems.

Secure affordable, safe housing; improve the safety and quality of existing housing stock.

(Complete, on-going.) County staff enforce housing, building, and fire codes to ensure compliance with basic health and safety building standards. Referrals to Marin Housing Authority’s Rehabilitation Loan Program, affordable housing opportunities, and other services are provided as appropriate.

Program 1.h - Promote resource conservation.

Promote energy efficiency, resulting in reduced costs over time which supports long-term housing affordability; provide education to households at a range of income levels on energy efficiency and resource conservation.

(Complete, Ongoing) The County works with and promotes the Bay Area Regional Energy Network’s (BayREN) Single-Family and Multi-Family Energy Efficiency programs, which provide rebates for property owners who make energy efficiency improvements to their homes and buildings. The Single-Family program includes a no-cost support line (Home Energy Advisors) where residents can get third-party technical support for making energy efficiency home improvements and information on applicable rebate and financing programs. The Multi-Family program offers cash rebates and no-cost technical consulting for multi-family properties that undertake energy and water upgrades to common areas and within units. The County continues to operate its Green Building Codes and Incentives Program, which includes mandatory energy efficiency and electrification measures for both new construction and remodel projects coupled with technical assistance for applicants, and increased access to financial incentives for applicants volunteering to switch out polluting appliances. In late 2022, the Board of Supervisors adopted updated building code standards to improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and resource conservation in the new code cycle starting January 1, 2023. The County advanced code standards and began enforcing (i) all-electric requirements for new construction, (ii) stronger energy efficiency and electric readiness for single-unit residential remodels of a certain size, (iii) EV infrastructure installs for both new construction and certain types of remodels, and (iv) re-enforce the County’s low carbon concrete ordinance, which was initially adopted in 2019 and postponed due to the economic uncertainty brought on by 2020 COVID pandemic.

Program 2.b - Enable group Residential Care Facilities.

Provide regulatory measures to facilitate housing provision and options for all segments of the community, including special needs populations.

(Complete, on-going.) Small group homes, defined as those with six or fewer residents, are permitted by right in all residential zoning districts. Large group homes, defined as those with at least seven residents, may apply for a conditional use permit in any residential zoning district.

Program. 2.u - Monitor rental housing stock.

Preserve the existing stock of rental housing as well as rental housing as a housing choice.

(Complete, on-going.) Starting in 2019, landlords must report rents and general occupancy information for all rental properties subject to the Just Cause for Eviction ordinance. The County has begun to analyze this information for use in future work (see response to program 2.i, “increase tenant protections”). Housing and Federal Grants Division staff actively work to identify and evaluate opportunities for acquisition and preservation of naturally-occurring, affordable units. The County Development Code prohibits conversion of multi-family rental units into condominium conversion unless the vacancy rate exceeds 5% and the change does not reduce the ratio of multi-family rental units to less than 25% of the total number of dwelling units in the County. Also see response to program 2.n, “apply long-term affordability controls.”

Program. 3.c - Provide and promote opportunities for community participation in housing issues.

Foster community support for affordable housing; engage the community in housing issues.

(Complete, on-going.) Staff regularly give presentations to community groups and conferences on affordable and fair housing issues. Throughout the 2022 calendar year, Staff engaged with the community on the 6th cycle Housing Element update and promoted tools and workshops to hear community perspective on housing needs, appropriate site selection for housing, and programs and policies. The list of community groups and events that sponsored presentations in 2022 include CDBG/HOME Countywide Priority Setting Committee meetings and Planning Area meetings in Novato and San Rafael, Community Advisory Group for the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, Housing & Transportation- Commission on Aging Committee, ISOJI Marin City, Community Development Agency of Marin County, Marin Community Health Implementation Strategy Meeting, Measure W Working Group, Inclusionary Housing Program workshops for market-rate and affordable developers, Marin Conservation League, Marin County Design Review Boards (Strawberry, Kentfield and Tamalpais Valley), bi-monthly Housing Element stakeholder group meetings, and Housing Element community workshops tailored to specific communities. In 2022, Staff continued “Community Conversation” meetings in the communities of Marin City and Santa Venetia. Also see response to program 3.a, “consider methods for improving County’s outreach with respect to affordable housing.”

Program. 3.k - Provide leadership to the Marin Workforce Housing Trust.

Prioritize funding for extremely-low-income and special needs populations.

(Complete, on-going.) See 2017 Annual Progress Report.

Program. 2.e - Support efforts to house the homeless.

Respond to homeless needs through comprehensive services.

(Complete, on-going.) The Housing and Federal Grants Division participates as a voting member in bimonthly Homeless Policy Steering Committee (HPSC) meetings. In 2022, Staff provided funding to three permanent supportive housing projects for people experiencing homelessness, including 40 units in San Rafael, 43 units in Larkspur, and 50 units in Novato, of which 24 are for veterans experiencing homelessness. Staff work collaboratively with the County’s Health and Human Services on Project Homekey and continue exploring additional opportunities.

Program. 2.n - Apply long-term housing affordability controls.

Pursue controls which will preserve the affordable housing stock in perpetuity.

(Complete, on-going.) An affordable housing development's receipt of Marin Housing Trust Fund monies is typically contingent upon acceptance of a regulatory agreement that imposes affordability restrictions in perpetuity. Exceptions to this requirement are made only for projects with unavoidable constraints that preclude the developer's ability to accept those terms. Examples of such constraints include developments with a determinate term length for land or building leases or conflicts with terms of other sources of public financing.

Program. 2.r - Encourage first time homebuyer programs.

Continue to provide housing opportunities to households with low incomes; seek opportunities for expansion and coordination with other assistance programs.

(Complete, on-going.) The Successor Agency to the Marin County Redevelopment Agency funds the Marin Housing Authority (MHA) Below Market Rate homeownership and down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers. MHA, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California (FHANC), and Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco continue to coordinate and host first-time homebuyer readiness workshops and services.