Residents of Marin City continue to be left out of housing discussions – Marin Independent Journal

A home is so much more than a roof over your head. Where you live can determine the quality of your children’s schools, your access to health care and available jobs.

That is why it is in our collective interest to understand how redlining was used as a tool to exclude Black Americans as well other non-White people from buying property in Marin County, and how it continues to impact them today.

About 80 years ago, the “red lines” were drawn after World War II, when Black shipbuilders in Sausalito were prevented from buying homes in some parts of Marin County. They were denied full access to pursuing the American dream.

Meanwhile, White people bought homes for as little as $10,000 with special government financing. Since then, they and their descendants have watched them explode in value.

Nevertheless, some of the shipbuilders chose to work, raise children and build a community with many small businesses and churches in Marin City.

Redlining was a sanctioned government practice until it was outlawed some 30 years later. However, other more subtle forms of exclusion continue to take place when banks, developers and appraisers refuse to work with Black citizens.

The lack of Black homeownership in America has contributed to an estimated $15 trillion wealth gap for Black residents. According to the most-recent data in 2021, the median yearly income in Marin City was $54,150. The 2021 county median was $131,008.

Instead of realizing the American dream, Marin City residents received inferior education, limited access to health care and unsafe living conditions. It has been the Bay Area’s version of Jim Crow.

The wealth and income gap are not an accident. It is not a personal choice, nor is it solely due to the devastating impact of redlining. Decades of predatory policies of land use and infrastructure neglect have contributed.

Marin City is not incorporated and thus has not had power or control over their community.  As an unincorporated area, it falls under the control of Marin County Board of Supervisors.

For decades, many significant decisions have been made without residents’ input. This has happened while ignoring safety implications and pleas to address significant issues.

It is a beautiful area. Many developers (and others) have had their eyes on taking over the land. Residents have always fought to save it for their children.

None of us should be surprised that Marin County planners and supervisors went straight to Marin City for this large project to meet the county’s mandated housing requirement.

County officials approved the development of a 73-unit apartment complex at 825 Drake Ave. without adequate community outreach.

When residents asked the supervisors to call it off, not only did the supervisors decline to fight for the residents, but they also gave $1.8 million to a very wealthy developer and approved a $40 million bond.

This complex will cause great permanent harm to this small, densely populated community. It will add congestion in a high-risk fire and flood zone with only one road in and out.