Novato Backs Habitat Project

NOVATO, CA — Novato’s City Council on Monday unanimously approved an all-affordable housing development that will be built by a global nonprofit.

The council backed Habitat for Humanity’s application to build 80 affordable homes on a 14-acre parcel west of Redwood Boulevard and north of Buck Center Drive near the Days Inn.

This will be Habitat’s second Novato venture. The nonprofit completed a 13-unit project in 2017.

The homes will be spread among 23 residential housing buildings. The project also includes an office building and three acres of common gathering and recreation space.

The units are a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes that will be sold to families earning between 50 to 120 percent of average median income.

All homes will be “deed restricted,” which will preserve their affordable status.

“I could not be more thrilled about this project,” Novato Mayor Eric Lucan said.

“I’m so excited that we are at this stage, and also that Novato continues to be a leader in affordable housing and workforce housing.”

Lucan acknowledged that the project helps meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation goal, but he said that wasn’t a material consideration in his decision to back the development.

“To me, that’s really a bye product,” Lucan said.

“This project, we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do. … RHNA number or not, this project is a winner and I’m just so thrilled to be a part of this project that’s going to be a part of our community for generations.”