Status of the Pilot Housing Assistance Program

Consistent with the labor agreements that were approved during the last bargaining cycle, the County has met with MAPE and MCMEA over the past six months to develop a $250,000 pilot housing assistance program. The agreement of this program was put forth to the Board of Supervisors on September 24, 2019, and a subsequent meeting with HR next week will finalize the rollout details.

The County views this pilot program as a method to increase employee retention, assist in recruitment efforts, reduce traffic and carbon emissions and aid in disaster response preparedness by enabling employees to move closer to work or public transportation. These outcomes will be measured by the County and will inform future iterations of this pilot program, though they are not requirements to apply.

The pilot housing assistance program is open to all regular hire employees who are planning to move or who have recently moved. Applicants can receive up to $7500 for eligible expenses such as a security deposit, moving expenses, and short-term storage. Applications are reviewed quarterly by a five-member committee which includes representation by MAPE, MCMEA, HR, and the CAO’s office. As this is a pilot program, we would appreciate any feedback that you have to be sent to your MCMEA Secretary, Jennifer Ancona at jancona@marincouty.org, so she can put your voice forward to the committee when reassessing program improvements.

MCMEA and MAPE worked collaboratively to provide the County with employees’ personal housing affordability and instability experiences to underscore the reality of the effects of Marin’s housing climate. In response, the County agreed to give priority consideration to those facing emergent situations of housing instability and developed a protocol to convene an emergency committee review panel, should this type of application be received off-cycle.