Calf Lot Interim Housing Public Statement & Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
Nearly 40 working families are facing immediate displacement from their residence on ranch properties in West Marin.
CLAM is partnering with Marin County to acquire the Calf Lot at 6th and B Streets in downtown Point Reyes Station for both interim and permanent housing.
The goal is to provide immediate housing for 10 to 16 families facing displacement by deploying several high-quality homes-on-wheels.
This interim housing solution will be operational by early 2026 through 2027 and renewed as needed under the Emergency Shelter Declaration.
The Calf Lot project is estimated to cost $6 million; Marin County is prepared to provide the majority of funding for the land acquisition.
CLAM and the County are developing additional funding partnerships beyond the current support.
CLAM will transition the site to permanent affordable housing in partnership with other housing developers such as Habitat for Humanity.
The Calf Lot is the first of several interim housing projects CLAM is advancing in an effort to address the shelter crisis.
Interim housing solutions for all 40 families facing displacement are projected to cost $18 million to $20 million.
CLAM Announces Partnership with Marin County to Build Critical Housing for Displaced Ranch Families
From Crisis to Collaborative Solutions
Nearly 40 families living on Martinelli Ranch and Point Reyes National Seashore properties are facing immediate displacement due to deteriorating housing conditions and planned closures. These working families — teachers, healthcare workers, and other service workers, many with children in our local schools — are vital contributors to West Marin's community. Nearly all of these families are Latino, with deep generational roots in West Marin.
This represents an unprecedented displacement crisis requiring collaborative solutions at a scale not seen before in West Marin. With the region's severe affordable housing shortage, interim housing solutions are critical to preserve our community and prevent these families from being forced to leave.
To address this crisis, the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Marin County to acquire the vacant Calf Lot property in Point Reyes Station, located at the corner of 6th and B Streets, with the shared goal of creating both interim housing for several of the displaced families as well as future permanent, affordable housing at the site.
The partnership with the County aims to develop at least 10 to 16 high quality homes-on-wheels for interim housing, with an ambitious timeline for residents to move in by early 2026. These homes will operate for 3 to 5 years while CLAM works toward developing permanent affordable units on the same site with other housing developers such as Habitat for Humanity.
The Calf Lot represents the first of many interim housing sites that CLAM is advancing to ensure that all families facing displacement will have housing options.
Community Engagement and Partnership
Recognizing that interim housing expands on CLAM’s traditional mission of developing permanently affordable homes for local workforce families, we are temporarily broadening our efforts with community partners to meet the urgent needs of local families facing displacement.
Our work at the Calf Lot builds on extensive due diligence, negotiations, and a Marin Community Foundation-funded feasibility study (conducted by CLAM with County support) that identified this as a priority site. CLAM's goal is to act as a steward of the property.
CLAM is actively engaging with families at risk of displacement through our collaborations with West Marin Community Services, the Families Affected by Relocation/Familias Afectadas del Rancho (FAR), and our participation in the Coalition for Housing All Workers and Their Families (CHAWTF), which is working to ensure safe, stable, affordable housing for Latinos and other lower-wage workers and their families in West Marin. Legal Aid of Marin has been providing ongoing tenant education and legal representation to support residents through previous meetings and one-on-one assistance.
At a recent resident meeting convened jointly by FAR and West Marin Community Services with representatives from both Martinelli and Seashore families, attendees expressed excitement about CLAM's potential housing solutions and said they would be eager to live in housing provided by CLAM if it were an option.
The Calf Lot alone will not house all families facing displacement in West Marin. Interim housing solutions for all 40 families facing displacement are projected to cost $18 million to $20 million, which includes costs for the Calf Lot and 3 to 5 years of operational costs across multiple sites. Beyond the Calf Lot, we are working with Marin County, Marin Community Foundation, West Marin Fund, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and other partners to identify additional potential interim housing sites throughout West Marin.
Implementation and Timeline
Recognizing the time-sensitive nature of the displacement crisis, CLAM and Marin County are seeking to purchase the Calf Lot together, with the County providing the majority of funding and CLAM using its Interim Housing Initiative fund to cover the remaining costs. This collaborative approach allows both organizations to move quickly on securing the property and the associated permits to enable expedited development of interim housing at the site.
The partnership also allows the project to leverage Marin County's Shelter Crisis Declaration to streamline permitting. County ownership reduces legal and regulatory risks for CLAM during interim housing operations, while enabling zoning and CEQA exemptions for faster development. CLAM will serve as the long-term steward of the Calf Lot property, and negotiations are underway for transfer agreements that will return the property in its entirety to CLAM for permanent affordable housing development.
This partnership brings together an unprecedented coalition of organizations focused on funding solutions that keep working families housed in West Marin. They include CLAM, Marin County, Marin Community Foundation, West Marin Fund, West Marin Community Services, and generous community supporters.
We are grateful to the folks at the Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT) for sharing their learnings from their interim and long-term housing efforts at Bo-Linda Vista.
CLAM and the County are continuing to refine their partnership framework, with the Board of Supervisors voting in mid-July to formalize our collaborative plans. Pending final approval by the Board of Supervisors, we aim to have interim housing ready by early 2026.
We will provide updates as decisions and agreements are finalized. Additionally, as we continue to evaluate other potential interim housing sites throughout West Marin, we will keep the community informed about these opportunities to serve more displaced families.
Community Support
“My parents already have jobs here, my little brother goes to school here, and I’m hoping to find work here too. I feel this disconnect, not knowing if I should keep building my life here or start somewhere else. The opportunity for temporary housing would feel like community, like we’re coming together and being supported.” - Villalobos Family, Daughter, resident of Point Reyes National Seashore
“Two years ago, we were selling cows; I lost my job, and now we’re almost without a home. Since then, I’ve found work here, my wife has a job here, and our son is still in school—he’ll graduate next year. It’s very important for us to stay local, not just for me, but for my whole family. The opportunity to have temporary housing would mean a lot. It would give us more time to find something nearby—not just wherever there’s space, but in the community where we live and work.” - Villalobos Family, Father, resident of Point Reyes National Seashore
“I've been in Marin County for 25 years, in Point Reyes, and I have a family of 3 children and my wife. We were impacted by the housing problem in Martinelli's ranch, and it is a pleasure, a pleasure to open these opportunities with CLAM to help the housing problem so we can continue to be in the community and continue supporting the community. Supporting so that the community is not left alone and has more help with labor and so that we can continue united as a family here in the town. And it is very nice to have the temporary houses because we would be united again.” - Enrique Hernandez, resident at Martinelli Ranch`
"This partnership represents exactly the kind of innovative collaboration needed to address our housing crisis. The County is proud to work with CLAM to ensure working families can remain in the community they serve." - Leelee Thomas, Deputy Director, Community Development Agency, County of Marin
"Marin Community Foundation is pleased to partner with the County of Marin, West Marin Fund, and other public and private funders to support CLAM’s community-driven interim and permanent housing solutions in West Marin." - Cassandra Benjamin, Interim Director of Housing, Marin Community Foundation
"This effort demonstrates what's possible when organizations pull together to create solutions that matter to our community. West Marin Fund strongly supports housing initiatives that promote our community's diversity and character." - Sarah Hobson, Executive Director, West Marin Fund
"We've seen firsthand how displacement affects families, and CLAM's approach offers real hope. Having dignified housing options means families can stay connected to their schools, jobs, and community networks." - Alma Sanchez, Abriendo Caminos Program Manager at West Marin Community Services
"The CLAM project exemplifies the kind of innovative, community-driven solutions that are so urgently needed. We are excited about the possibility of partnering with CLAM to bring this vision to life, helping to ensure that West Marin remains a vibrant, inclusive place for generations to come. Together, we can build homes that not only shelter families but also strengthen the fabric of our shared community." – Maureen Sedonaen, CEO at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco
Show Your Support
Help CLAM raise additional funding so that we can invest in affordable housing in our community. You can make a donation to our interim housing initiative fund.
To learn more about CLAM’s work, upcoming community meetings, and actions to support affordable housing in West Marin, sign up for CLAM’s newsletter.
CLAM Calf Lot Project Frequently Asked Questions
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The Calf Lot is a vacant lot located at 6th and B Streets in Point Reyes Station. It is the first of several interim housing sites CLAM is advancing to ensure that families in our community who are facing displacement have housing options in West Marin. CLAM is moving quickly to secure the site for immediate use. We've done extensive due diligence, including a feasibility study that CLAM conducted, funded by Marin Community Foundation with County support, that identified the Calf Lot as a priority site.
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At least 10 to 16 homes-on-wheels will be deployed starting early 2026, operating for up to 3 to 5 years. The homes will be high quality, self-contained units with modern amenities providing dignified living spaces. The current, ambitious plan is for the site infrastructure development to begin in summer/fall 2025, with families moving in by early 2026.
After the interim phase, CLAM plans to transition the site to permanent affordable homes with support from other housing development partners. The homes-on-wheels can later be repurposed for additional affordable housing throughout West Marin. All infrastructure investments at the Calf Lot will serve both the interim and permanent housing phases.
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Nearly 40 families living on Martinelli Ranch and Point Reyes National Seashore properties are facing immediate displacement due to deteriorating housing conditions and planned closures. These are our neighbors — teachers, healthcare workers, and other service workers, many with children in our local schools — who are vital contributors to our community. Nearly all of these families are Latino, with deep generational roots in West Marin.
We're partnering with Marin County to leverage their recently issued Shelter Crisis Declaration for streamlined permitting and regulatory benefits. Together with West Marin Fund, we’re raising significant flexible funds to ensure work can move forward without delays.
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CLAM is designing for interim and permanent housing simultaneously at the Calf Lot. The interim phase will fund much of the site infrastructure (septic, water, utilities) that permanent housing will also need, with over 50 percent of the upfront investment intended to serve both phases. This will enable us to provide interim housing for about 3-5 years to avoid displacement, while also supporting permanent housing goals.
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CLAM has been evaluating the Calf Lot as a potential site for years, making it a natural choice when urgent interim housing needs arose. As a vacant lot in the heart of Point Reyes Station, it allows rapid deployment of homes-on-wheels without complications from existing structures or lengthy demolition processes.
The location keeps families close to schools, jobs, and community services rather than displacing them further from their existing networks. The site has favorable zoning that supports both emergency shelter development and future affordable housing. The infrastructure investments in septic, water, and utilities will serve both the interim housing phase and eventual permanent affordable housing development, maximizing efficiency of every dollar invested.
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We are actively engaging with displaced families through our collaboration with West Marin Community Services, Familias Afectadas del Rancho (FAR), and the Coalition for Housing All Workers and Their Families (CHAWTF). At a recent resident meeting, families expressed enthusiasm about CLAM's housing solutions.
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CLAM is part of a coalition of partners who are working together with West Marin families to address this displacement crisis while building long-term housing stability in West Marin. Our partners include Marin County, Marin Community Foundation, West Marin Fund, West Marin Community Services, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), Legal Aid of Marin, Familias Afectadas del Rancho (FAR), and many generous community supporters.
We're grateful to the Bolinas Community Land Trust (BCLT) for sharing learnings from their interim housing efforts.
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This partnership allows both organizations to leverage their strengths while sharing financial commitment. CLAM can move quickly to secure the property while the County ownership provides crucial regulatory benefits through their Shelter Crisis Declaration, which enables zoning and CEQA exemptions for faster development.
The County is providing the majority of funding for land acquisition plus covering infrastructure and operating costs, representing a major public investment. CLAM is using interim housing funding from Marin Community Foundation specifically designated for land acquisition to cover the remaining purchase costs. County ownership during the interim phase reduces legal and regulatory risks for CLAM. CLAM will serve as the long-term steward, with negotiations underway for transfer agreements that will return the property to CLAM for permanent affordable housing development.
CLAM and the County are working together during the due diligence period to finalize purchase terms that maximize community benefit and responsible use of public and philanthropic resources.
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Beyond the Calf Lot, we are urgently working with the County of Marin, Marin Community Foundation, West Marin Fund, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and other partners to identify additional potential interim housing sites throughout West Marin. Interim housing solutions for all 40 families facing displacement are projected to cost $18 million to $20 million, which includes costs for the Calf Lot and 3 to 5 years of operational costs across multiple sites.
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We are in the very early stages of pre-development, but we have some general possibilities in regards to density and population. There is the possibility of around 10 to 16 units onsite; but some families may need more than one unit for their household, so it is hard to say what our final numbers will be. Despite the regulatory changes with the emergency housing declaration, we still need to comply with basic and standard septic approaches, and that will be a major constraint on the actual number of bedrooms that can be on the site. We will have more insight on this after the County Board of Supervisors meeting in August, and we urge you to come and share your opinions there.
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This project represents a collaborative investment in West Marin's housing stability. The complete interim housing project at the Calf Lot is estimated to cost approximately $6 million. The County is providing the majority of funding for land acquisition. Marin Community Foundation also recently awarded CLAM a $1-million grant to support its interim housing efforts.
CLAM, Marin Community Foundation, and West Marin Fund are actively developing additional funding partnerships — from new donors and expanded support from existing funders — that together with the County’s support will ensure timely implementation of the full project.
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The County Board of Supervisors adopted an initial resolution to approve the Calf Lot purchase at their meeting in June, which is being followed by final approval of purchase and operating agreements July 15th.
CLAM's board will finalize the purchase of the Calf Lot and the County partnership agreements by the end of June 2025. In summer/fall 2025, site work and infrastructure development will begin, along with vendor selection and final site planning. By early 2026, the homes-on-wheels will arrive and families can begin moving in.
This expedited timeline will require close coordination between CLAM, the County, and our development partners to ensure success.