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Marin County has one of the highest median household incomes in California and some of the highest home prices and development costs in the country. The county offers millions in grants each year to provide equitable housing opportunities.
Funding for these programs was briefly threatened on Tuesday, when the White House Office of Management and Budget directed an across-the-board freeze on federal funds with some exceptions for individual assistance.
“It is a temporary pause to give agencies time to ensure that financial assistance conforms to the policies set out in the President’s Executive Orders, to the extent permitted by law,” a White House memo read, referring to over 300 executive orders President Donald Trump has already signed since taking office on Jan. 20.
“The OMB has completely rescinded its memo, and so there’s no current threat to funding at this time,” said Marin County spokesperson Laine Hendricks on Wednesday.
“It was challenging to determine exactly what was at risk because the OMB memo was very vague and while it could have affected elements of human/social services, infrastructure, housing, public safety, emergency operations, and more, we just didn’t have enough information to speak with any certainty,” Hendricks said.
As of Jan. 22, applications are open for $3.9 million in grants to developers and nonprofits working on affordable housing and community infrastructure projects in the county. This initiative aims to support programs that assist lower-income households and provides essential community services.
The Community Development Block Grants and the HOME Investment Partnership Program Grant are both administered by the Marin County Community Development Agency, which leverages several local, state, and federal funding sources for the programs.
“The OMB has completely rescinded its memo, and so there’s no current threat to funding at this time.”
Laine Hendricks, Marin County spokesperson
The median price for a single-family home in Marin County has neared $1.8 million in recent months, with rents ranging from $2,500 to $3,400. Many residents struggle with housing, health care, child care, and food security. There is increasing pressure on nonprofit organizations to provide essential services, which the federal grant programs aim to support. A minimum grant size of $15,000 is available for nonprofits delivering these critical services.
The Community Development Agency also administers the state of California’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation, which provides funding to local governments for housing-related programs. It includes a one-for-one match from the Marin Affordable Housing Fund, which provides funds to developers for costs associated with affordable housing projects, including new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of housing for low-income households. There is also a fund specific to the city of San Rafael.
Application materials for the 2025 funding cycle are accessible online through CDA’s Notice of Funding Availability webpage and in person at the Marin County Civic Center in San Rafael.
Local agencies have until 5 p.m. on Feb. 19 to apply for the funds. CDA staff members are available throughout the application process to consult with organizations.
Following the submission deadline, staff will review applications, conduct public hearings, and make recommendations. By June, the county Board of Supervisors will hold a final hearing before submitting allocations to the federal government. Approved applicants can expect to receive funding by autumn.
More information can be found online.
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