More Marin communities need affordable housing

I join my voice with pastoral colleagues around Marin questioning the proposed 825 Drake Ave. housing development in Marin City.

As a pastor of a congregation with its share of diversity of views on any number of issues, I recognize there are different perspectives on how to best provide additional housing, particularly affordable housing. Out of a concern for the poor and disadvantaged, and out of concern for the environment, my faith compels me to affirm the need to create both low-income and high-density housing.

However, this project burdens an area that already shoulders a disproportionate share of Marin County's highdensity housing. My faith compels me to consider that as well.

Marin City is barely 1% of Marin's population and only half a square mile in size (Marin Country is 520 square miles), yet it contains 60% of the county's publicly supported housing units. Marin City leads the way, by a dramatic margin, in high-density housing over other unincorporated areas.

Completing this project, as opposed to adding housing in other areas in the county, would unevenly burden infrastructure, impede escape routes in the event of a natural disaster and significantly affect the quality of lives of current residents. How are their interests being represented?

Marin City residents have endured generations of disadvantage and this would add to that sordid legacy.

This is the opposite of a “not in my backyard” plea. Rather, as someone who lives in one unincorporated place in the county and works in another, this is a “let us share the responsibility” plea.

I urge other solutions to meet this important challenge.