Agreement with Richardson Bay Regional Agency backed by state funding will provide housing opportunities for individuals living in boats
San Rafael, CA—The Marin Housing Authority’s (MHA) Board of Commissioners has approved a state-funded voucher program that will help relocate individuals living on boats in Richardson Bay into stable, long-term housing on the mainland. The program, approved at Tuesday’s MHA Commission meeting, will enable the MHA to access $3 million in funding secured by State Senator Mike McGuire as part of an agreement with the Richardson Bay Regional Agency (RBRA)
“This funding agreement will provide new pathways to stable living situations for those out on Richardson Bay,” said MHA Commissioner Stephanie Moulton-Peters. “As these stormy winter months have proven, living on a boat is difficult, particularly in environmentally-protected waters. With these vouchers, we can find housing opportunities that work for everyone. We want to commend State Senator McGuire for helping fund this critical housing program.”
As part of the agreement, the MHA will provide a local subsidized housing program with a scattered site component for individuals currently living on the water. MHA will also administer housing assistance payments to local landlords to create new affordable housing opportunities for up to 17 households per year under this three-year contract. Additionally, MHA will provide housing navigation services to support families and individuals in locating housing utilizing the
local housing voucher.
“Like all residents in Marin County, these individuals have a right to safe, sanitary and secure housing opportunities,” said MHA Executive Director Kimberly Carroll. “We look forward to working with the RBRA and other stakeholders on a plan that respectfully and thoughtfully relocates everyone off of the Richardson Bay anchorage.” There are roughly 60 individuals living in vessels and house boats on Richardson Bay. As part of an agreement with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), the RBRA has a mandate to relocate all those vessels off the anchorage by October 15, 2026.
The vessels are currently residing in Richardson Bay in violation of RBRA rules, and are critically damaging the eelgrass ecosystem, which supports fisheries, provides protection from climate change, reduces erosion and stabilizes the shoreline, among other benefits.
“We have an obligation to address the needs of everyone who uses Richardson Bay, and the best course of action for all is for these boats to be relocated from environmentally sensitive waters,” said RBRA Executive Director Brad Gross. “For safety, security, public access and
environmental reasons, the current situation is simply not tenable. That is why we worked with State Senator McGuire and others on a funding solution to create real housing options for individuals living on the water. This thoughtful program is the result of the meaningful cooperation.”
