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

November 13, 2014

WASHINGTON­—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

Huffman also sent a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Paul Zukunft in support of the affordable housing proposal.

###