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Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco and Bolinas Community Land Trust Partner to Build Eight New Affordable Homes for Low-Income Families in Downtown Bolinas
The community-centric approach will expand access to affordable homeownership and help combat displacement in West Marin
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif, (October 10, 2024) – Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco (Habitat Greater San Francisco) and the Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT) are thrilled to announce they are partnering to bring much-needed affordable homeownership opportunities to downtown Bolinas, an area historically lacking in affordable housing. Together, the local nonprofit organizations will build eight affordable homes designed specifically for low-income, first-time homeowner families, providing critical access to homeownership in the heart of West Marin.
The project comes at a crucial time when affordable homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for far too many local families. In Bolinas, housing expenses exceed the national average by 181% with the average home price now hovering at $1.75M. In recent years, many homes in the close-knit coastal community have been removed from the long-term rental market and converted to short-term Airbnb rentals and vacation homes. This shift has created a challenging situation for Bolinas residents who can no longer afford to live in their existing school districts or stay within a reasonable distance of their jobs.
In the Bolinas-Stinson School District, nearly 75% of our community’s full-time residents are low-income and at risk of being displaced. We are committed to preserving the diversity and character of Bolinas by ensuring that our residents have access to affordable homeownership and can stay in the community they love. This project represents the culmination of years of work by our community to address the housing crisis and keep Bolinas an inclusive place for all.
Last year, Habitat Greater San Francisco and BCLT teamed up to build four affordable, single-family homes for local Marin families located on Overlook Drive and Aspen Road in Bolinas. This new development along Wharf Road builds on that success and is a testament to the organizations’ shared vision. The project will include two buildings with six 3-bedroom townhomes, two 2-bedroom townhomes and two ground-floor commercial spaces.
Homeownership not only provides families with a foundation for long-term stability, but it also helps build strong, vibrant communities. As housing costs in West Marin continue to rise, the need for innovative solutions to combat displacement has never been more urgent. This partnership with BCLT allows us to bring more affordable homeownership opportunities to a community that urgently needs it and help local families stay rooted in Bolinas for generations to come.