Pro-Housing Organization Nails Down $80,000 in Donations and Key Endorsement

announced Friday that it has received more than  $80,000 in donations and commitments from individuals and groups who support their efforts to advocate for reasonable housing in Novato. It followed that announcement Monday with word that it received a key endorsement from the League of Women Voters of Marin County.

“Stand Up for Neighborly Novato has come a long way since a group of concerned neighbors met in a friend’s living room just two months ago,” said the Rev. Pamela Griffith Pond, the group's spokesperson. “Since that night, we formed the organization, created a website and Facebook page, launched a grassroots campaign and earned endorsements from over 100 Novato residents and key organizations. And now that work is paying off as individuals and organizations join us by making donations and financial commitments to our organization. We are excited by our momentum and expect it to grow.”

Of the league’s support, Pond added, “They are non-partisan and seen as an objective voice in disputes regarding policy. “This endorsement is our biggest yet. It adds to our momentum for passing a housing element that will preserve Novato’s hometown character.”

Donors and financial commitments have come from individual contributors and grants including the Marin Community Foundation’s program, the Marin Community Housing Action Initiative. Among the organizations that have made endorsements of the grup are Community Action Marin, Novato Housing Coalition, Democracy for America-Marin, Sustainable Novato, Asian Advocacy Project, Latino Council, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and about 120 Novato residents.

“We thank all of our supporters and are honored to have them on board and working with us to get a housing element certified for Novato,” Pond said.

Stand Up said the Democratic Central Committee of Marin recently reaffirmed its commitment to affordable housing by passing a resolution that states they “believe in working to create socially equitable communities and providing adequate affordable housing helps promote smart growth and reduces suburban sprawl.”

“The Marin Democrats’ backing of affordable housing comes at a critical time and shows that this issue is at the heart of Democratic values,” Pond said.

Novato must submit a plan or “housing element” to the state for certification in 2011. The housing element must follow guidelines established by the state's  Department of Housing and Community Development.

HCD asks each California community to provide housing for residents earning a range of incomes, in Novato’s case, up to $90,500 a year for a family of four. Novato has a history of providing well-designed housing that falls within state guidelines and reflects Novato’s character. Some examples include Meadow Park, the Villas at Hamilton, Mackey Terrace and the Next Key Center at Homeward Bound in Hamilton.