The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development cuts a check for Marin County every year to fund affordable housing and anti-poverty programs. This year, three West Marin community organizations that provide food banks and housing were recipients of the funds, which the county approved for transfer last week. In Marin, there were a total of 43 applicants, six from West Marin, vying for funds from the $1.3 million honeypot. “I was on the selection committee for West Marin [and] we had to make some hard choices because of the continual reduction of funding available from the federal government,” Supervisor Dennis Rodoni said. “All recipients in West Marin were selected because of importance to their communities.” The San Geronimo Valley Community Center is no stranger to Community Development Block Grants, as they are known; they’ve been a recipient for over a decade. The latest $5,704 grant will primarily support the center’s human services program, whose food pantry serves an average of 150 patrons a week. “We serve primarily valley and Nicasio low-income residents, but never turn anyone away if they are in need of accessing food,” Nicole Ramirez, the center’s director of human services, said. “Our busiest time is the winter, when food access for many is difficult, especially those who live rurally.” In Tomales, there’s been a multi-year effort to rejuvenate the historic town hall, which is approaching its 144th anniversary. Already the building has a new foundation and a restored stage; this year’s $13,000 grant will fund a new patio and a kitchen remodel. The town hall opens once a week for a community food pantry that serves 55 families, said Venta Leon, a town hall board member. West Marin Community Services, Legal Aid of Marin and others provide regular free legal and health clinics at the hall, which is available to locals for public meetings and memorial services. The largest grant was awarded to the San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association, which oversees the Sage Lane Senior Housing complex that offers three homes to six seniors. The association will use its $36,379 grant to build a new shingle roof for one of the houses and is applying for another grant to replace the other two roofs.