Neighbors for Neighbors: A response to displacement

By Loretta Murphy and Daniel DelMonte. Reprinted with permission from the Point Reyes Light.

West Marin has always been defined by a deep sense of connection—to the land, to our work and to one another. From multigenerational ranching families to artists, educators, farmworkers and small-business employees, our community thrives when people live close to where they work, learn and belong. That foundation, however, faces growing strain and pressure.

West Marin is in a severe and urgent housing crisis, with many residents being displaced or evicted. While permanent housing solutions are being rapidly developed by local community land trust partners across the region, these solutions will come online in phases over the coming year.

For many people, the gap between losing housing and securing a permanent home may last several months or more. Without short-term options, some families and individuals face difficult decisions about how to remain safely in the community until permanent solutions become available.

As a community foundation, West Marin Fund exists to help meet moments like this—by listening, partnering and mobilizing local resources to support community wellbeing. In response to the urgent need for temporary housing, the fund is partnering with West Marin Community Services to offer Neighbors for Neighbors, a locally grounded bridge housing initiative modeled on evidence-based host homes programs.

Neighbors for Neighbors provides time-limited housing, typically for six to 12 months, for individuals and families in West Marin experiencing housing instability or displacement. Bridge housing may take many forms: a room in a primary residence, an accessory dwelling unit, a second home or another safe, habitable space. The goal is simple but powerful: to help neighbors remain safely housed in West Marin while they work toward a new chapter. Bridge housing is offered at no cost or very low cost, removing the immediate financial burden that often accompanies displacement. At its heart, this initiative is built on local generosity and a belief that strong communities care for one another, especially in times of transition.

For households on fixed or limited incomes, housing options are scarce, and losing a home can disrupt more than just a place to live. People may be forced to leave their jobs, children may be removed from schools and essential services can lose key workers. Bridge housing is one way to help prevent these disruptions by allowing families to stay connected to their livelihoods, schools and support networks while they pursue longer-term options.

Neighbors for Neighbors matches displaced individuals or families with hosts who may be primary homeowners, second homeowners or property owners with unused or underutilized space. Each arrangement is carefully coordinated and supported by a nonprofit project coordinator and a services manager who provide guidance and support to guests and hosts. A confidential emergency registry helps ensure thoughtful, appropriate matches. Hosts and guests complete a secure form detailing needs, preferences and logistics such as household size, accessibility, pets, cultural considerations and length of stay. Communication and compatibility are prioritized to set everyone up for success.

Neighbors for Neighbors is already making a difference. In Inverness, a couple has opened a garden cottage rent-free to a displaced couple for up to 18 months. In another case, a low-cost arrangement allowed local workers who had moved to Petaluma to return closer to their jobs in Point Reyes. In a third case, a displaced family with four children located a permanent rental, providing lasting stability. These stories demonstrate what’s possible. But continuing to offer bridge housing in the coming months will depend on more community members stepping forward.

West Marin has always relied on neighbors stepping up for neighbors. Today, we are asking homeowners with available space to consider becoming hosts. Offering bridge housing can make the difference between a family staying rooted in this community or being forced to leave it. If you are interested in learning more, or you are seeking bridge housing for yourself, write to Loretta at loretta@westmarinfund.org. Together, we can turn compassion into action and ensure that West Marin remains a place where everyone has a chance to belong.

Loretta Murphy is a Point Reyes Station resident and the operations manager for West Marin Fund. Daniel DelMonte is a government resource consultant to the fund. He lives in Vacaville.