Rep. Huffman Introduces Bill to Support Point Reyes Community's Call for Affordable Housing

Press Release

Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) introduced federal legislation to increase the availability of badly-needed affordable housing in West Marin. Huffman's bill, H.R. 5684, would convey a roughly 30-acre property in Point Reyes Station currently owned by the Coast Guard to the County of Marin for repurposing as affordable housing.

The Coast Guard currently plans to auction the property, designated as surplus, to the highest public bidder. The Huffman bill would instead direct the Coast Guard to negotiate the sale of the property directly with the County of Marin based on fair market value, ensuring that the property be used for public benefit as affordable housing.

"The dearth of affordable housing in West Marin has pushed more and more working-class families out of the region, negatively impacting families and making it hard for local businesses and agricultural producers to find long-term staff," Huffman said. "We have a rare opportunity to provide affordable housing to the Point Reyes community without impacting the existing landscape. I'm glad that this effort has received such strong support from the local community, and my bill would ensure that we are able to capitalize on this opportunity."

"The potential acquisition of the Coast Guard housing facility presents a chance to significantly improve affordable housing in West Marin. Congressman Huffman's bill is an important step towards achieving that goal, and would help expand the current housing stock in Point Reyes by about 10%," West Marin Supervisor Steve Kinsey said. "Reducing long commute travel will reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as allow more time for our workforce to be with their families and their community."

"This 30-acre site, in walking distance of downtown Point Reyes Station, could provide much needed affordable homes at a time when many local families are being displaced due to land speculation and the conversion of rental homes into vacation rentals," said Kim Thompson, Executive Director of the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM). "We strongly support Congressman Huffman's efforts to put this site into the community's hands, and hope that Senators Feinstein and Boxer will take up this effort in the Senate."

This effort is widely supported by the community, including:

Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM)
Coastal Health Alliance
Shoreline Unified School District
West Marin-Inverness School
West Marin Community Services
West Marin Senior Services
Point Reyes National Seashore Association
Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)
Point Reyes Station Village Association
Inverness Association Board of Directors
Inverness Park Association
East Shore Planning Group
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin
West Marin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
KWMR Radio Station Board of Directors
Toby's Feed Barn
Point Reyes Farmers Market
Saint Columba Episcopal Church
Tomales Bay Resort & Marina
Black Mountain Artisans
Perry's Inverness Park Grocery
Bovine Bakery
Cowgirl Creamery
Gallery Route One -- Artists in the Schools Program
Gallery Route One -- Latino Photography Project
Mainstreet Moms
West Marin Fund
The Mesa Refuge
Coastal Marin Fund
Cottages at Point Reyes Seashore
Petition of Support by local individuals

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