Marin County develops Oak Hill housing project for teachers and county staff

The Marin County Board of Supervisors convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, with a primary focus on the Oak Hill workforce housing project and the associated affordable housing guarantor financing program. The meeting began with an introduction from Supervisor Sackett, who noted the publication of an agenda update memo that included new attachments such as a market study and an executive summary from the Concord Group.

Lily Thomas from the Community Development Agency presented an update on the Oak Hill project, which aims to provide 35 units of workforce housing for income-eligible teachers, school employees, and county staff. This initiative is part of a larger development that includes a total of 250 units, with 50 designated as affordable housing for low and very low-income households, developed by Eden Housing. The project is situated on state-owned land identified for affordable housing through the governor's initiative.

Thomas highlighted the challenges of developing affordable housing in Marin County, which is noted as the most expensive region in the Bay Area for such projects. The costs for affordable units often exceed one million dollars each, with the Oak Hill project estimated at just over one million per unit for the affordable side and approximately 700,000 per unit for workforce housing. She explained that high land costs, a lengthy development process, and potential litigation contribute to these expenses.

The presentation also addressed a budget gap faced by the Oak Hill project, which is typical for affordable housing developments. To mitigate this, the Marin County Public Finance Authority is proposing that the county join the affordable housing guarantor financing program, effectively acting as a cosigner to ensure rent payments and improve the project's bond rating.

Matthew Heimel, the executive director of the Marin County Public Finance Authority, further emphasized the importance of the project, noting that it aims to address recruitment and retention issues for county employees and educators who often commute from outside the county. A survey conducted among county staff indicated a significant interest in the proposed housing, with 61% expressing willingness to rent if the project moves forward.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of the collaborative efforts involved in bringing the Oak Hill project to fruition, with representatives from the Marin County Office of Education and the development team present to answer questions. The board's discussions underscored the ongoing challenges and potential solutions in addressing the affordable housing crisis in Marin County, with a focus on supporting local workforce needs.