Marin County is looking for residents and workers to serve on three committees that help decide how millions of dollars in federal, state and local funding are distributed for housing and community programs, specifically in coastal areas.
Applications are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 23 for the Countywide Priority Setting Committee, Measure W Oversight Committee and Measure W Working Group.
The Countywide Priority Setting Committee has two openings. The panel advises the Marin County Board of Supervisors on how to best spend proceeds from two programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for creating and preserving affordable housing for low-income households, including Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships funds.
The committee will also be deciding how to spend a state Permanent Local Housing Allocation fund to local governments for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.
Duties of the committee include reviewing funding requests from nonprofits and public agencies for affordable housing and services for low- and moderate-income residents. Residents who represent the interests of racial or ethnic minorities and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
One opening is designated for the Ross Valley area, including Fairfax, Ross and San Anselmo. The other covers Southern Marin, including Belvedere, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Tiburon, Marin City, Strawberry and Tam Valley. The committee typically meets four evenings a year.
The two other committees oversee Measure W, a 2018 voter-approved tax on overnight stays in West Marin. The measure increased the tax from 10% to 14% on hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts and short-term rentals.
The tax generates about $1.2 million annually from visitors. About half is used for housing-related projects, with the remainder supporting fire and emergency services.
The Measure W Working Group reviews housing needs and recommends funding priorities to the county. The Oversight Committee reviews an annual audit to ensure the tax revenue is spent within the Measure W area and on voter-approved purposes. The county is seeking people with accounting, auditing, or financial experience for the oversight committee.
Applications are available through the Marin County Community Development Agency’s Housing and Grants website. For questions, call the county office at 415-473-7309.
