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San Rafael Housing Element Update

Like all cities in California, San Rafael is updating its housing plan, called a housing element. Greenbelt Alliance is leading a diverse coalition of advocates to ensure that San Rafael’s housing element update contains realistic sites for affordable housing backed by a strong set of policies that support affordable, infill development. Groups represented in the coalition include the Chamber of Commerce, Sustainable San Rafael, the Marin Environmental Housing Collaborative, Grassroots Leadership Network, Tenants’ Voice Council, MarinLINK, the Sierra Club and the League of Women Voters. The coalition holds ongoing meetings to identify key housing element policies that would support affordable housing in locations that would reduce Marin’s overall vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions.

San Rafael recently completed a Climate Change Action Plan, which contained many land use recommendations that support the work of Greenbelt Alliance. Greenbelt Alliance and coalition members will meet with planning staff and local decision-makers to see that the housing element is in line with its sustainability goals.

What's at Stake

San Rafael reports they have an excess of number of housing sites and a number of approved plans on hold due to current economic conditions. The Planning Department intends to make little to no revisions from its previous housing element. However, San Rafael recently passed a Climate Change Action Plan, which advocates for mixed-income housing as a way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. The Plan calculated that 62% of emissions come from the transportation sector, in large part because workers must commute long distances from cities with more affordable housing choices.

Greenbelt Alliance wants the City to create the strongest housing element possible. In addition to advocating for reduced parking requirements and a streamlined approval process, our local coalition wants to be certain that the sites identified in the housing element are likely to produce housing affordable to Marin’s working families and growing senior population.

What You Can Do

• Write a letter. Marin has traditionally resisted new growth of any kind, so local decision-makers need to hear from residents who recognize the need for workforce housing and want to see new growth directed to locations near jobs, transit and services. You can write a letter to the editor, maximum 250 words, to the Marin Independent Journal.
  
  
• Contact the San Rafael City Council directly, to support workforce and senior housing in walkable neighborhoods. You can write a letter, send an email, or call (415) 485-3074.