The year 2022 marks a milestone for the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin as we begin our third decade creating permanently affordable rental and ownership homes for our community. We started out as a small, grassroots group concerned with the escalating cost of owning, or even renting, housing locally. We didn’t even imagine then the escalation of housing prices we are seeing in the real estate market today.
“Create 50 permanently affordable homes in 25 years.” That was the goal CLAM set in 2001 as we formed a community land trust—an organization that preserves housing and the land it sits on for the community forever. It seemed audacious at the time and, though there were skeptics, there were also early supporters who appreciated the local housing pressures. The strategy was to purchase existing homes that we could rent or sell at below-market rate to qualified individuals and families. Our founding visionaries—Carl Munger, Susan Brayton, Ann Sheree Greenbaum, Cynthia Clarkson, Penny Livingston, Rae Levine and others—were rooted in the community and knew what could be possible if the community got behind our fledgling C.L.T. And indeed, the community did in a variety of ways.
First, people stepped up to join the board, bringing critical expertise in law, local real estate, contracting and professional administration. Attorneys Eleanore Despina and Susan Scott established CLAM’s non-profit legal status, residents became members of CLAM and generous local donors made our first property acquisition, in Inverness Park, possible.
A key piece of this first success was the innovative thinking of then-board member Marshall Livingston coupled with the pro bono work of realtor Dan Morse, who asked the property owner if she would be willing to talk with CLAM before listing her property. She was, and we came to an agreement. After making basic improvements, we created a second apartment out of an extra bedroom in the main house. Our first CLAM resident, Natalia Meyerson—the much-loved manager of Stockstill House, the assisted living home created by West Marin Senior Services—still resides in the home after raising her children there.
Next, we were fortunate to purchase Mesa Apartments, a four-apartment building in downtown Point Reyes, across from Whale of a Deli. The partners who owned the property approached CLAM and even agreed to hold the mortgage, which made the transaction possible.
Now, 20 years after forming, CLAM owns five properties that provide housing for 18 households and 33 residents. In addition, we have sold two homes to young families—one in Inverness and one in Point Reyes—while CLAM retained ownership of the land. The owners build equity that they realize when they sell, while CLAM keeps the home affordable for the next buyer.
Our Real Community Rentals program has also created affordable homes. Working hand in hand with local property owners who are willing to rent their second unit or create a small apartment out of extra space in their home, the program now provides affordable housing to 20 residents in 17 households.
CLAM will be rehabilitating the former Coast Guard housing neighborhood in Point Reyes Station once we’ve worked through county requirements. That site will provide 51 refurbished affordable homes.
Most recently, our first age-in-place acquisition is another example of our determination to expand affordable homes. Through this purchase, we are making it possible for a longtime community member to remain in her home as CLAM assumes responsibility for deferred and ongoing property maintenance. Ultimately, we will assume ownership of the property for forever-affordable homes there, too.
There’s a story to every one of the properties CLAM has acquired. The common thread to all of our work is the can-do attitude and generosity of this community.
As we look ahead, it’s clear there are challenges on many fronts, including intense pricing pressure on rentals and home sales and the displacement of community members of all ages, especially young families. The local businesses that serve us every day are facing critical staffing shortages, in part due to the lack of affordable housing and the resulting lengthy commutes their employees face. Without secure, affordable housing, it is very hard to build a life here.
Time and time again, this community has come forward to tackle tough, sometimes controversial issues. In 2018 CLAM, along with the three other West Marin housing organizations, worked in collaboration with the local fire departments to pass Measure W, which increased the transient occupancy tax on hotels and short-term rentals. Thanks to strong local support for the measure, the ongoing revenue provides valuable funding for affordable housing and fire department projects.
This is a very different time from 20 years ago when CLAM was formed, as increasing pressures threaten the cohesive nature of our community. Yet we believe that with broad participation by individuals, local businesses, real estate agents, the county and local foundations, we can continue to make progress. Access to secure, affordable housing is fundamental to creating a life here. We invite you to learn about our work and consider the role you can play in supporting our efforts. Check out our website, www.clam-ptreyes.org/. Become a member. Sign up to receive our monthly CLAMbites newsletter. If you have questions or ideas, talk to us. Let’s keep the momentum going and show how we can make affordable housing happen for our community.
Pam Dorr is the executive director and Maureen Cornelia is the board president of the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin.