Affordable rentals opening in Marin County

North Bay nonprofit Homeward Bound of Marin today celebrates the completion of Oma Village, an affordable 14 apartments on Nave Drive in Novato for families transitioning out of homelessness.

“Oma Village will change the lives of the first 14 families to move in, and then scores upon scores of others to follow,” said Dr. Thomas Peters, President and CEO of the Marin Community Foundation. “These parents and children will now have a stable home in a community that they will build together, and the opportunity to shape their own futures with independence and self-sufficiency. All of us at MCF offer heartiest congratulations to Homeward Bound for the vision and dedication in completing this transformational project.”

A two year construction resulted in small, low-density, green homes built as an infill development on a formerly blighted lot, close to transportation, schools and amenities. In addition to shared gardens, a playground, and space for an after-school homework club, the community is eco-friendly and embodies modern design.

Backers said rents or a two-bedroom apartment in Marin average nearly $2,300 a month. Rents for these apartments will be affordable they said.

Major seed funding for Oma Village came from the Marin Community Foundation, County of Marin, City of Novato, and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. Individual donors, local businesses and foundations have contributed more than $2 million so far.

In addition, HomeAid Northern California-the philanthropic arm of the Building Industry Association in the Bay Area-coordinated building professionals to contribute their skills and materials to Oma Village at a discount to achieve the lowest possible construction costs, officials said.

Show Comment