About the Homes

In partnership with Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT), we are building 8 new, affordable homes on Wharf Road in Bolinas. These homes are for local families earning between 60% – 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and provide opportunity for homeownership for first-time home buyers. You can read more about the origins of the partnership and the project in our joint press release. 

BCLT will retain ownership of the land in perpetuity through their community land trust model, ensuring long-term affordability and community control. In addition to the 8 new homes, BCLT’s permanent headquarters will also be located onsite so they can remain easily accessible and closely connected to the community they serve.

The homes feature:

  • Six three-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units
  • Average of 900 square feet
  • Off street parking
  • Dishwasher, washer, dryer, oven/stove, and refrigerator
  • Images below represent interior finishes similar to those that will be featured in these homes:

 

The Application Process

As a fair housing lender, we follow strict regulations to ensure a fair and equitable application and selection process. We’ve outlined the main steps below:

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Step 1

Application

Attend one of our information sessions and then submit your screening form online.

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Step 2

Selection

We use a randomized selection process to determine which application to review first.

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Step 3

Qualification

You provide a full application and we look at your income, credit and background to determine if you qualify.

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Step 4

Sweat Equity

Once your household has been selected, it’s time to put in up to 500 hours of sweat equity.

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Step 5

Escrow Closing

One last income, credit and background review to requalify you for your loan and start the escrow process.

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Step 6

Move in!

Enjoy the security and stability that comes with owning your own home.

Workshops & Information Sessions

To help ensure you have all of the information you need to be as successful as possible with your application, we will hold a series of Homebuyer Readiness Workshops and Information sessions. When the sessions have been scheduled, we will post all the information here along with links to sign up!

Get in touch

Please reach out to our team with any questions:
homeownership@habitatgsf.org
(415) 625-1041

FAQs

What is happening at 31 Wharf?

  • The Bolinas Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco have teamed up to build eight new affordable homes all designed with long-term affordability in mind.  
  • The eight homes at 31 Wharf will be new construction of condos. 
  • The project will include robust community engagement with a focus on building trust through transparent outreach and a clear, open homeowner selection process. 
  • We are prioritizing early and ongoing engagement with local leaders, stakeholders, and community-based organizations.  
  • While we’ll market in a very targeted way we expect most interest and success to come from families who live, work, or have roots in West Marin. 
  • From the start, this project has been designed to serve working families in West Marin. We intend to prioritize outreach and applicant support to families who live or work in West Marin. 

When is this project starting and ending and what can the community expect?

  • Construction is scheduled to begin in December and is expected to take approximately 16-18 months to complete. 
  • We will do our best to minimize disruptions and share information in advance. Construction hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some Saturday work may occur, especially during volunteer build days. 
  • There may be typical construction noise and occasional impacts to local traffic and access due to construction activity. Habitat and its subcontractors work hard to be responsive and resolve any issues in a timely way. 
  • We welcome feedback throughout the process and will do our best to adjust whenever possible. Our goal is to complete the project safely and as quickly as possible while meeting the highest standards for construction. 

Who will purchase the homes?

  • The 8 units will be purchased by low-income, qualified, first-time homebuyers earning between 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 
  • The homes have been designed for families, with ample space and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. 
  • All homebuyers need to meet the qualifications at the time they submit their application to be considered.  
  • Homebuyers will be required to complete up to 500 hours of sweat equity, reinforcing their connection to the homes and Habitat’s model. This will be done through a combination of volunteering, education and other opportunities.

 

 

 

What benefit does this offer Bolinas?

  • This project is an incredible opportunity to help fight displacement and address the growing housing crisis across West Marin. 
  • The average home price in Bolinas is nearly $1.75M, which means homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for many families. 
  • The project at 31 Wharf will provide eight families with lasting housing security, the ability to build equity, and have a long-term future in Bolinas.  
  • Families who own their homes have better health outcomes, their children perform better in school, and they are more involved in their communities.    
  • We are able to offer all that with a program that does not require a downpayment. Housing payments on the homes are capped at 35% of gross household income, including such costs as mortgage repayment, taxes and insurance. 

How do you ensure a fair process?

  • As a fair housing lender, Habitat GSF is required to follow strict state and federal regulations, including county-specific income requirements set by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.  
  • These requirements help ensure that the selection process is fair and equitable for everyone. 
  • Interested homebuyers fill out an application and are entered into a pool. Once the deadline for application closes, we conduct a randomized selection process, also known as a lottery.  
  • The lottery simply establishes the order in which each application is reviewed. 
  • If an application is reviewed and does not meet all of the necessary requirements, we move on to the next application based on the order previously determined by the lottery.  
  • The basis for a family’s selection is their need for housing, their willingness to partner with us and their ability to pay an affordable mortgage, as well as other requirements.

How does Habitat Greater San Francisco support homeowners?

  • Habitat serves as the lender, offering affordable mortgages and walking alongside homeowners as true partners throughout the process.  
  • We’re committed to supporting first-time homebuyers from application through move-in and beyond. 
  • All Habitat homeowners receive a one-year warranty covering the fit and finish of their home, ensuring a smooth transition into homeownership. 

Is Habitat Greater San Francisco involving any local companies or tradespeople in this project?

  • Yes, we are always looking for opportunities to partner with local companies and tradespeople throughout the Bay Area. 
  • First and foremost, the Bolinas Community Land Trust is a key partner on the project and the landowner of the site. 
  • The homes themselves were designed by John Lum Architects. John Lum is a Bolinas resident. 
  • The general contractor has deep experience building in Marin. The company is Midstate Construction based in Petaluma. 
  • We will continue to look for opportunities to partner with additional local companies as the project progresses. 

How can I support this project?

  • One of the most powerful ways to support us is by spreading the word. Become a positive ambassador for the project. Share information with friends and neighbors and help us build local understanding and support for affordable housing. 
  • Every contribution, whether financial or hands-on, helps make affordable homeownership a reality. We welcome community members to join us during volunteer build days or contribute to help fund this work. 
  • If you’re curious about Habitat’s mission or want to explore other ways to get involved, reach out. We’d love to talk and find ways to get you involved.

What are we doing to support aspiring homeowners?

  • Our Homebuyer Readiness Program helps prospective homebuyers learn what they need to know to prepare to apply to purchase a Habitat home. It also serves as an important resource with referrals and resources for all attendees.  
  • It includes clear and transparent information about the qualification criteria and what the process entails.  
  • For this project, we hosted a Homeowner Readiness Session in November 2025. In January 2026, we will host an additional Homeowner Readiness Session, and in February we’ll hold two sets of English and Spanish project-specific Homeowner Information sessions. 
  • We also encourage anyone with questions to reach out to us directly.  
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