Oma Village Clears Design Review Approval

A final approval for Homeward Bound’s Oma Village family housing site came last night on a 5-0 vote from Novato’s Design Review Commission, clearing the road for development.

The program would create 14 small rental homes at 5394 Nave Drive, which could open in early 2015. A fundraising campaign has raised more than $3.5 million of the estimated $5.5 million budget so far.

“We are ecstatic and look forward to completing this exciting and worthy project,” says Mary Kay Sweeney, executive director at Homeward Bound of Marin. “The Design Review Commission was thoughtful, supportive and complimentary about Oma Village.”

Homeward Bound credited a team of professionals offering a host of pro bono services to shepherd the proposal through its final vote. They included SWA Landscape Architecture, CWS/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group and Kevin Stephens Design Group.

Oma Village will replace dilapidated buildings formerly used for a 30-bed residential treatment program for men in drug or alcohol recovery with a modern, energy-efficient village of one- and two-bedroom homes for families exiting homelessness.

Inspired by the designs of Blu Homes, the site will embrace a “modernistic look” that includes cedar and cable hand railings, metal awnings and a canvas shade structure in part of the outdoor common area.

Rather than prefabricated components, as originally envisioned, the units will be built on site. This change resulted from the fact that the Blu Homes factory would not be able to manufacture the units on the projected schedule.

Existing landscaping will remain, including olive, redwood and cedar trees with new crape myrtle trees added as a focal point. For more details, review the staff report of March 5, 2014.

Donors can support Oma Village via an innovative nonprofit IPO launched with help from legendary investor Warren Buffett or by sending a check to Homeward Bound/Oma Village, 1385 N. Hamilton Parkway, Novato, CA  94949. Call for more details at 415-382-3363 x211.

To learn more about supporting Oma Village, see the nonprofit IPO video. We also invite you to see our video about the Oma Village vision to hear one family’s story about homelessness.