Real Community Rentals connects people with homes in West Marin
RCR’s mission is to create affordable homes in West Marin for workers, seniors, and families so that we can keep the spirit of our community strong.
This program started with caring: caring about our local workers, caring about local businesses who need those workers, and caring about creating a vibrant community for all of us. When you rent a room, a second unit, or your whole house, you’re making sure that everything we love about West Marin continues on.
What we do
We work with homeowners to create rental spaces, which include whole house rentals, room rentals, junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs), and ADUs.
Supporting local workers
Because there are so few rental units in West Marin, rental prices are prohibitively high, making it nearly impossible for local workers to live near where they work.
Driving long distances to work contributes to our carbon footprint, to workers’ stress levels, and even puts a strain on children’s academic performance.
Allowing homeowners to age in place
Homeowners can receive substantial benefits and cash incentives (including zero interest loans for constructing a rental unit) and help with tenant selection and screening.
Various combinations of incentives can be used to meet homeowner needs.
Building a more vibrant community
West Marin is a welcoming place that values community. A stronger community requires affordable rental opportunities.
Without homes set at prices workers can afford, businesses struggle to find employees, while young families and seniors find it difficult to stay.
Affordable homes make a rich community
All homeowners who are part of the Real Community Rentals program agree to set reasonable rents. You can learn more about the cost of setting up your home as a rental by exploring stories from fellow homeowners or using our calculator tool, which we’ll be releasing this summer.
How Real Community Rentals began
Real Community Rentals is part of a larger movement to create affordable communities.
Real Community Rentals was initiated by CLAM and is a collaborative program across four organizations to increase the supply of desperately needed affordable homes in West Marin.
As barriers to the creation of ADUs and JADUs are being removed at the State and County levels, the County of Marin developed a program of incentives for homeowners who create rentals that are offered to low-income households, and those incentives are available in West Marin through this program.
Since we began in 2016, we’ve housed 31 people across 25 properties in West Marin.
Meet the team serving our community
RUTH LOPEZ
Program Manager, Community Land Trust Association of West Marin
Serving residents in Point Reyes, Inverness, Marshall, and Tomales communities
MARK SWITZER
Project Development, San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association
Serving residents in San Geronimo Valley
EVAN WILHELM
Managing Director, Bolinas Community Land Trust
Serving residents in Bolinas
CHRIS HARRINGTON
Board Member, Stinson Beach Affordable Housing Committee
Serving residents in Stinson
About CLAM
As a Community Land Trust, CLAM acquires properties in the communities surrounding Tomales Bay and continues to own the ground while either selling or renting the housing. By taking property out of the speculative market and taking the cost of the land out of the cost of housing, CLAM assures long term stability and affordability.
Our work bridges the gap between escalating land prices and the modest incomes of many who live or work here – people who are crucial to the community’s vitality and overall health.