Marin Supes Explore Potential Housing Measure

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marin County Board of Supervisors received an update this week on a proposed housing bond that could be headed to ballots in nine Bay Area counties next year.

The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) briefed supervisors on the plan, which is being considered for inclusion on ballots next November. According to the report, nearly 39,000 people experienced homelessness in the Bay Area last year, with more than a half-million low-wage workers at risk of becoming homeless.

As a result of the high cost of living, BAHFA found more people are either relocating away from the region or forced to commute more than 90 minutes from more affordable areas to their jobs.

If voters give the go-ahead, the bond measure would raise between $10 billion and $20 billion to fund affordable housing projects in Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties.

"Lack of affordable housing and increases in homelessness in the Bay Area is a regional problem, and BAHFA is a regional response that is creative, innovative and bold," said Stephanie Moulton-Peters, the board president. "Working together, our counties can have a real impact."

BAHFA secured $20 million in state funds in 2021 to kickstart operations and create pilot projects, and Marin's Community Development Agency is working on a local spending plan to guide usage of the funds should the bond measure pass. Officials plan to hear from community members next year on the areas where those efforts should be focused.

"Extensive public outreach will be a critical component as we work on that plan," said Leelee Thomas, deputy director of the CDA. "Engaging our cities and towns will be vital to include their goals and priorities."