Real Community Rentals

Real Community Rentals connects West Marin homeowners who have a spare room, second unit, or house available to rent with local workers and families in the community who need affordable housing. 

The program encourages homeowners to become part of the region’s housing solutions by having CLAM staff work with them on a case-by-case basis offering support, guidance, and potential financial resources to ensure a smooth rental experience. This can include:

  • Support Services — CLAM staff provide ongoing assistance throughout the rental process, including help with tenant pre-screening, rental agreement review, and periodic check-ins. 

  • Financial Protections — The program includes enhanced security deposit coverage (up to $2,500) and additional loss coverage for unforeseen short-term vacancy or damage beyond the security deposit (up to $3,000).

  • Zero-Interest Loans with Deferred Principal — Property owners can access zero-interest loans for creating or improving rental units:

  • Up to $25,000 for repairs or rehabilitation of existing rental units

  • Up to $35,000 to convert a spare bedroom into a private apartment

  • Up to $35,000 to create a second unit (such as an ADU)

  • Permit Fee Support — Building permit fees may be waived or reduced for certain repairs or improvements related to creating affordable rental units.

To participate in this program, it should be noted that "affordable housing" means that housing costs no more than one-third of the renter's household income. Rent can range from no rent to the maximum affordable amount, with the final rent determined by the tenant's actual income and household size.

These examples show what one-third of monthly income looks like for common West Marin occupations:

  • Retail Clerk ($32,000/year): $890/month

  • Restaurant Server ($40,000/year): $1,110/month

  • Caregiver ($50,000/year): $1,390/month

  • Teacher ($75,000/year): $2,080/month

West Marin has relatively few rental units compared to the demand for rental housing. This shortage affects local workers: farmers, teachers, retail staff, restaurant workers, and others who often face long commutes or crowded living situations. When families spend more than one-third of their income on housing, less money is available for food, healthcare, and other essentials.

Real Community Rentals seeks to mitigate these challenges by fostering an environment where more affordable housing is offered to local workers, keeping them in the community while providing income potential and community building for homeowners.

If you’re interested in participating in this program, please reach out to the CLAM team.

Real Community Rentals is supported through partnerships with Marin County, Marin Housing Authority, and Marin Community Foundation.