31 Wharf Road
BCLT is proud and excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco to bring much-needed affordable homeownership opportunities to downtown Bolinas. Together, we will build eight affordable homes specifically designed for low-income, first-time homeowners, offering critical access to homeownership in the heart of West Marin.
This project is crucial, as homeownership has become increasingly unattainable for working families. In Bolinas, housing expenses exceed the national average by 181%, with the average home price now hovering around $1.75M. In recent years, many homes in our close-knit coastal community have been removed from the long-term rental market and converted into short-term rentals and vacation homes. As a result, many residents can no longer afford to live in their local school districts or within a reasonable distance from their jobs.
In the Bolinas-Stinson School District, nearly 75% of our community’s full-time residents are low-income and at risk of being displaced. Our commitment is to preserve the diversity and character of Bolinas by ensuring that our residents have access to affordable homeownership, allowing them to remain in the community they love. This project reflects years of work by our community to address the housing crisis and maintain Bolinas as an inclusive place for all.
Last year, we successfully worked together to build four affordable, single-family homes for local families on Overlook Drive and Aspen Road. This new development along Wharf Road builds on that success, with a shared vision of providing more affordable homes in our area. Homeownership provides families with a stable foundation and helps build vibrant, resilient communities. As housing costs continue to rise in West Marin, the need for creative solutions to prevent displacement is more pressing than ever. This partnership brings affordable homeownership opportunities to a community in urgent need, ensuring that families can stay rooted in Bolinas for generations to come.
The 31 Wharf project will feature two buildings with a total of eight homes: six three-bedroom townhomes and two two-bedroom townhomes, alongside two ground-floor commercial spaces.
We extend our deepest thanks to the private individuals and funders who have helped move this project forward. Their generosity, paired with financial backing from Habitat Greater San Francisco, the County of Marin Housing Trust Fund, the Marin Community Foundation, Measure W, and HUD, is instrumental in making this project a reality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated 1/26/2026
What is happening at 31 Wharf?
The Bolinas Community Land Trust and Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco have teamed up to build eight new affordable homes all designed with long-term affordability in mind.
The eight homes at 31 Wharf will be newly constructed units.
Homebuyers will be required to complete up to 500 hours of sweat equity, reinforcing their connection to the homes and Habitat’s model. This will be done through a combination of volunteering, education, hands-on work, on-site work, and other opportunities.
The project includes robust community engagement with a focus on building trust through transparent outreach and a clear homeowner selection process.
Our outreach plans prioritize early and ongoing engagement with local leaders, stakeholders, and community-based organizations.
While we’ll market in a very targeted way we expect most interest and success to come from families who live, work, or have roots in West Marin.
From the start, this project has been designed to serve working households in West Marin. Outreach and marketing will be targeted to households in West Marin and those least likely to apply.
Who will purchase the homes?
The 8 units will be offered for sale to low-income, qualified, first-time homebuyers earning in the range between 60% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Housing payments on the homes are capped at up to 30% of gross household income and include such costs as mortgage repayment, utilities, taxes and insurance.
All homebuyers need to meet the qualifications at the time they submit their application to be considered.
What benefit does this offer Bolinas?
This project is an incredible opportunity to help fight displacement and address the growing housing crisis across West Marin.
The average home price in Bolinas is nearly $1.75M, which means homeownership has become increasingly out of reach for many households.
The project at 31 Wharf will provide eight households with lasting housing security, the ability to build equity, and have a long-term future contributing to the community in Bolinas.
Families who own their homes have better health outcomes, their children perform better in school, and they are more involved in their communities.
Housing payments on the homes are capped at up to 30% of gross household income, including such costs as mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance.
How do you ensure a fair process?
As a fair housing lender, we are required to follow strict state and federal regulations, including county-specific income requirements set by the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
These requirements help ensure that the selection process is fair and equitable for everyone.
Interested homebuyers fill out an application and are entered into a pool. Once the deadline for application closes, we conduct a randomized selection process, also known as a lottery.
The lottery simply establishes the order in which each application is reviewed.
If an application is reviewed and does not meet all of the necessary requirements, we move on to the next application based on the order previously determined by the lottery.
The basis for a household’s selection is their level of need for better housing, their willingness to partner with us and work alongside volunteers, and their ability to pay an affordable mortgage.
How does HGSF support homeowners?
Habitat serves as the mortgage lender, offering affordable mortgages and walking alongside homeowners as true partners throughout the process.
We’re committed to supporting first-time homebuyers from application through move-in and beyond.
All Habitat homeowners receive a one-year warranty covering the fit and finish of their home, ensuring a smooth transition into homeownership.
Is Habitat involving any local companies or tradespeople in this project?
Yes, we are always looking for opportunities to partner with local companies and tradespeople throughout the Bay Area.
First and foremost, the Bolinas Community Land Trust is a key partner on the project and the landowner of the site.
The homes themselves were designed by John Lum Architects. John Lum is a Bolinas resident.
The general contractor has deep experience building in Marin. The company is Midstate Construction based in Petaluma.
We will continue to look for opportunities to partner with additional local companies as the project progresses.
How can I support this project?
Every contribution, whether financial or hands-on, helps make affordable homeownership a reality. We welcome community members to join us during volunteer build days or contribute to help fund this work.
One of the most powerful ways to support us is by spreading the word. Become a positive ambassador for the project. Share information with friends and neighbors and help us build local understanding and support for affordable housing.
If you’re curious about Habitat’s mission or want to explore other ways to get involved, reach out. We’d love to talk and find ways to get you involved.
What are we doing to support aspiring homeowners?
Our Homebuyer Readiness Program helps prospective homebuyers learn what they need to know to prepare to apply to purchase a Habitat home. It also serves as an important resource with referrals and resources for all attendees.
We will be hosting Information Sessions for 31 Wharf Road throughout March 2026. Sessions will be held virtually via Zoom on weeknights and weekends in Spanish and English. Those interested in applying for the homes are strongly encouraged to attend.
It includes clear and transparent information about the qualification criteria and what the process entails.
We also encourage anyone with questions to reach out to us directly at homeownership@habitatgsf.org.
When is this project starting and ending and what impact can we expect on the community?
Construction started in late January 2026 and is expected to take approximately 16-18 months to complete.
We will do our best to minimize disruptions and share information in advance. Construction hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some Saturday work may occur, especially during volunteer build days.
There may be typical construction noise and occasional impacts to local traffic and access due to construction activity. Habitat and its subcontractors work hard to be responsive and resolve any issues in a timely way.
We welcome feedback throughout the process and will do our best to adjust whenever possible. Our goal is to complete the project safely and as quickly as possible while meeting the highest standards for construction.
How were the issues of water, septic systems, and parking addressed? How was this taken into consideration when designing the project?
The BCLT provided community-informed input for the overall design of the project.
There will be onsite, dedicated parking for the homeowners and their guests, as well as neighboring businesses.
All homes will be water-efficient and meet strict water district standards.
There will be no septic system. The BCLT is leading the relationship with the Bolinas Community Public Utilities District (BCPUD). They are working with BCPUD to connect the existing well on-site to the water system to serve as emergency water.
Does this project threaten the water moratorium?
No, the project was specifically designed with careful consideration for water usage. All homes will be water-efficient and meet strict water district requirements.
The Wharf project is using a limited use water permit which has a cap that has been approved by the Bolinas Community Public Utilities District (CPUD).
For reference, there are many homes in Bolinas that do not have a limited use water permit. Those households can theoretically use as much water as they like, whereas the homes at 31 Wharf will be limited to no more than 225 gallons a day whose aggregate usage will be split between the units in the project.
The project will not increase the water allocation to the property above what has already been approved.
Who retains ownership of the water meter and what is being subdivided?
Consistent with the land trust model, the BCLT retains ownership of the land beneath the project at 31 Wharf Rd, which includes the water meter. This ensures that the homes remain affordable in perpetuity.
The partnership between Habitat GSF and BCLT enables us to offer affordable homeownership opportunities in Bolinas. To create that structure, we are subdividing what is effectively the air above the land to create the eight individual homeownership opportunities.
This is similar to the BCLT property at 6 Wharf Rd, where they serve multiple units with one water meter. The key difference is that the units at 6 Wharf are affordable rentals, whereas the homes at 31 Wharf provide an opportunity for residents to purchase a home and build up equity. It is an incredible solution to what has become a significant problem in Bolinas.
