Oak Hill: A Two‑Community Initiative in Marin
Nestled on state-owned land along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard near Larkspur Landing, Oak Hill envisions two compatible neighborhoods: a 135-unit workforce campus and a 115-unit affordable housing component.
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The units cover a range of family sizes, whether you’re a single person needing one bedroom or a family looking for three. Terraced buildings and shared amenities fit Marin’s hillside terrain and climate, and the design tries to hit Marin’s environmental goals, from San Rafael to Mill Valley.
The People and the Place
135 apartments for teachers, school staff, and county employees will be owned and financed through the Marin County Public Financing Authority. 115 affordable homes for extremely low- and low-income families will be built and managed by Eden Housing.
The project’s unit mix—one, two, and three bedrooms—mirrors what most Marin families need. The design emphasizes public-service stability so educators and county workers can actually live near their jobs in towns like Larkspur, Greenbrae, and Novato.
- One-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts for different family sizes
- Terraced buildings shaped for Marin’s slope and hillside vibe
- Shared amenities that foster neighborhood life and safety
- Sustainable design elements that fit Marin County climate goals
Financing and Protections
The Oak Hill plan faces a financing gap of about $16.4 million, thanks to higher interest rates. County officials have floated a guarantor financing program that would lower borrowing costs by letting the County act as guarantor for 34 workforce apartments, with parallel commitments from participating school districts and partner organizations.
This approach tries to keep public workers—teachers, bus drivers, administrators, and county staff—from having to commute from outside Marin. It’s about making housing near work more affordable and stable.
Safeguards and Challenges
Supporters point to peer reviews, bond covenants, and other safeguards that limit taxpayer exposure. Critics and watchdogs worry that debt or operating shortfalls could land on Marin taxpayers, so they push for strong performance covenants and more diversified financing.
The project’s financing package also includes a small federal earmark within a $3.1 million Marin package meant to accelerate critical components of Oak Hill. Officials expect these protections to be in place as key financing agreements and permitting move forward this year, with oversight from Marin’s finance authorities and partner districts in places like San Rafael and San Anselmo.
Local Impact Across Marin
Oak Hill could become a focal point for Marin’s housing and workforce strategy. It might help keep teachers and public employees in places like Corte Madera, Mill Valley, Fairfax, and Ross.
The site’s transit access is a big deal: it’s close to bus lines, the SMART rail corridor, and T-line connections to San Francisco. That could shorten commutes for employees who now travel from Novato or Sausalito into central Marin County.
By anchoring workers in Marin’s towns—especially near the waterfront in Larkspur and Bolinas Road area—the project supports stable school staffing and local retail vitality in Tiburon and Marin City. It might even help build a more resilient tax base over time.
Community Benefits Beyond Housing
Oak Hill could strengthen neighborhood stability in the Marin City corridor and enliven school communities in San Rafael and Novato. It also offers a model for hillside development that tries to respect Marin’s natural landscape.
With shared amenities and stewardship by Eden Housing and the Marin County Public Financing Authority, Oak Hill might become a template for future collaborations between local school districts and county departments in places like Sausalito and Ross Valley.
Timeline and How to Get Involved
Officials say there’s a small federal earmark included in the package, and they expect financing agreements and permitting to move forward this year. Construction is projected to begin in 2026, with phased completions a couple of years later.
If you’re interested—whether you’re an employee or a community member—you can join the project’s interest list now. That helps signal demand and align timelines with Marin’s school districts and public agencies.
Getting Involved
If you’re a teacher, school staff member, or county employee in Marin County—from San Anselmo to Mill Valley—keep an eye out for announcements from the Marin County Office of Education. Your local district office might have updates too, so don’t miss those.
Check community boards in Lambert’s Landing and Larkspur for the latest on Oak Hill’s progress. The Marin County financing portal will probably post news about upcoming guarantee arrangements and permit milestones.
Oak Hill might just become a centerpiece in Marin’s housing‑and‑work strategy. Towns like Larkspur and Novato could set an example for more inclusive, transit‑rich living—wouldn’t that be something?
Here is the source article for this story: Oak Hill Housing Gambit Aims to Keep Marin Teachers Off the Freeway
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