The article says the Novato City Council unanimously approved a lease rider. This step lets Homeward Bound of Marin close on a $3 million state construction loan for 50 supportive housing units at its Hamilton campus.
The move converts construction financing into a permanent state loan. The state provides the funding, not the City of Novato.
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This decision pushes forward Marin County’s ongoing effort to expand shelter, housing, and job training for veterans and families at the Hamilton Field parcel.
Novato’s vote seals the path for Hamilton Field’s housing phase
People across Marin—from Novato to Mill Valley—paid close attention as the council approved the lease rider. Now, Homeward Bound of Marin can move forward with the state loan by amending the ground lease for the HUD parcel at Hamilton Field.
The lease rider doesn’t transfer land ownership. The city still owns the land, but the financing structure gets updated to reflect long-term state support.
Homeward Bound CEO Paul Fordham explained that the organization is shifting from traditional construction financing to a long-term loan. He believes this change will give the Hamilton campus more stability as it grows its services throughout Marin County.
Fordham said the current construction-period financing will be replaced by the state loan as the program enters its next phase.
City officials stressed that the funding comes from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)—not the City of Novato. They see this as a sign of the state’s broader investment in Marin’s shelter, housing, and workforce development initiatives.
What the project looks like on the ground
The Hamilton Field parcel now has 50 supportive housing units, finished in 2024. The lease rider amends the 2020 ground lease so construction financing becomes a permanent state loan, lining up with HCD’s requirements for long-term financing.
The project stays rooted in Novato’s Hamilton campus, with facilities designed for shelter, housing, and employment training.
The New Beginning Center shelter, extra housing for veterans and families, and the Next Key Center employment training programs all work together on the Hamilton campus. Marin County clearly wants a more holistic approach to homelessness and workforce readiness.
- Lease rider purpose—amends the 2020 ground lease to convert construction financing into a permanent state loan.
- Funding source—California’s state housing agency, not the City of Novato.
- Units completed—50 supportive housing units finished in 2024.
- Current payments—about $18,000 per month in interest under construction financing, with payments shifting to operations after loan closing.
- Campus components—New Beginning Center shelter, veterans and family housing, and Next Key Center employment training.
- Land ownership—the City of Novato keeps ownership; the rider doesn’t change that.
Marin County impact and community context
All over Marin—from Sausalito and Tiburon on the water to San Rafael and Larkspur inland—the Hamilton campus project shows how state financing can really make a difference. Stable housing, shelter services, and workforce training all come together on a single campus.
For Marin residents, this approach offers a real-world way to tackle homelessness and boost economic opportunity. It weaves housing stability with employment readiness right into the county’s landscape—and honestly, isn’t that what most communities hope to see?
What’s next for Homeward Bound and Hamilton
With the state loan wrapping up, Homeward Bound looks ahead to a steadier operational base. They want to keep their mission alive and thriving across the Hamilton campus.
Novato City Council member Pat Eklund has supported the partnership for years. She pointed out how the program grew from just a white tent into a campus with several buildings and training spaces.
Eklund believes public‑private teamwork is crucial if Marin’s housing and services are going to last. Honestly, that’s hard to argue with—no one can do this alone.
For Marin as a whole, this lease rider feels like a real move forward. It connects local care with state help, aiming to serve families, veterans, and neighbors in need, whether they’re in Novato or anywhere else in Marin.
Here is the source article for this story: Council Clears Key Step In $3 Million State Loan For Homeless Housing In Novato
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