Stone Soup Summer 2025

Two Valleys Community Land Trust Protecting the Heart of the San Geronimo and Nicasio Valleys

Guided by the principles of Community, Land, and Trus t, TVCLT ensures commu- nity-driven governance, holds land in perpetuity to guarantee permanent affordabil- ity, and practices careful stewardship of all properties. Today, TVCLT owns and manages two affordable housing properties: • Sage Lane Senior Housing in San Geronimo offers shared living for six extremely low-income senior adults across three residential buildings. SGVAHA originally acquired this property in 2000 to meet the affordable housing require- ments of the French Ranch residential development. • Forest Knolls Mobile Home Park , acquired in 2015, provides 19 ground-leased spaces for owner-occupied mobile homes. In 2018, the Association also placed a new mobile home on-site for rental to a qualified low-income household. Significant rehabilitation projects have been undertaken at both properties, includ- ing the installation of solar energy systems, appliance upgrades, septic system improvements, and road and drainage enhancements. Thanks to secured funding, construction of a new Common Building at Sage Lane will begin this summer.

The Valleys We Love Are at Risk---and It Impacts All of Us The San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio Valley are more than just great places to live—they are communities built on shared values, deep roots, and neighborly con- nections. But, the escalating cost of housing is making it increasingly difficult for many residents—young families, essential workers, seniors, and those who grew up here—to stay in the place they call home. The Two Valleys Community Land Trust is dedicated to changing that. We are creating and preserving permanently affordable housing in our Valleys to ensure our communities remain vibrant, accessible, and inclusive. But affordable housing doesn’t just benefit those who live in it—it benefits all of us. Indeed, supporting affordable housing is a smart and necessary investment in the future of our shared community. Traffic Is Getting Worse—Affordable Housing Can Help When people who work in our community can’t afford to live here, they’re forced to commute long distances from more affordable areas. These daily commutes add to the already heavy traffic congestion we experience in Fairfax and San Anselmo, especially back-ups at the Hub. Every time a local worker drives from the Canal, Petaluma, Santa Rosa, or Vallejo to serve families here, it contributes to clogged roads, longer commute times, more emissions—and a lower quality of life for all of us. Affordable housing in the San Geronimo and Nicasio Valleys helps reduce these long commutes and the traffic headaches they cause. We Need Local Workers—But They Can’t Afford to Stay Many of the services we depend on every day are provided by people who can no longer afford to live here: childcare providers, teachers and school staff, gardeners and landscapers, house cleaners, senior caregivers, contractors, and repair worker. Without affordable hous- ing, fewer of these essential workers will be available. We’re already seeing a shortage of people willing or able to travel long distances for work. As this trend continues, it will become harder to hire the help we need, it will cost us more as these workers commute longer distances, and our schools, families, and older residents will suffer. Affordable housing allows these vital members of our community to live locally and be part of the fabric of our daily lives. We Risk Becoming a Community for the Wealthy Only If current trends con- tinue, our community will become increasingly exclusive—affordable only for the wealthy--- as is already happening in Stinson Beach. When young families, local workers, and seniors are priced out, we lose more than neighbors. We lose the peo- ple who coach our Little League teams, care for our children and elders, volunteer at the food bank, and show up for community events. Affordable housing ensures that people from different income levels, generations, and backgrounds can live together and support one another. That diversity is what has always made our Valleys feel like home. We Need You! Affordable housing is not just about shelter—it’s about sustaining a way of life. It’s about keeping our schools open, our roads less congested, and our neighborhoods filled with people who care. It’s about preserving the soul of the San Geronimo and Nicasio Valleys. The Two Valleys Community Land Trust is commit- ted to building a future where housing is available for everyone—not just the few who can afford today’s prices. We invite you to support this work so that our Valleys remain places where people can live, work, and grow together. Two Valleys Community Land Trust: Sustaining Community through Affordable Housing

Forest Knolls Mobile Home Park: 20 units purchased in November 2015

In addition to managing its existing properties, TVCLT made its first new acqui- sition as a community land trust with the purchase of 6956 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. This was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of commu- nity members who provided bridge loans. Once rehabilitated, the property will offer three new affordable one-bedroom apartment rentals. Looking forward, TVCLT is committed to continuing its mission by acquiring and preserving existing homes for rent or sale, as well as developing new multi-genera- tional, affordable housing opportunities. This vital work relies on strong community engagement and support. Together, we are building a future where everyone in our valleys can find a place to call home — permanently. Be Part of the Solution—Support TVCLT Today Join the Two Valleys Community Land Trust and be a part of something bigger! By becoming a member, you help create a healthier, more vibrant community in the San Geronimo Valley and in Nicasio. Your support ensures that the people who work here—our teachers, service providers, and local employees—can afford to live here. Together, we strengthen neighborhoods, foster stability, and build a future where everyone has a place to call home. You are invited to become a member of the Two Valleys Community Land Trust! Be a foundation for change. Support the mission of the TVCLT and help ensure stable, affordable housing in our community for our seniors, for our workforce, and for all of us. Your membership strengthens neighborhoods and fosters a healthier, more inclusive community. Membership is $35 annually and provides you with the following benefits: - Your name published on the TVCLT website, in our annual report, and in our “Roots and Roofs” newsletter as a TVCLT member who is helping to create a healthier, more vibrant community in the San Geronimo Valley and in Nicasio. - Receive a yard sign and/or decal to proudly announce your membership: “Two Valleys Community Land Trust: Sustaining Community through Affordable Housing ” - Receive the TVCLT “Roots and Roofs” newsletter four times per year. - Invitation to our annual appreciation event for members and donors. - Invitation to our annual meeting. - Voting rights to elect the TVCLT Board of Trustees. - Opportunity to serve as a TVCLT committee member. - Thank you promotion from Giaco’s Roadhouse: one time 10% discount for a meal at Giaco’s, limited to four people. You can lead the way in community stewardship and play a key role in guiding the TVCLT’s growth and long-term sustainability. Join the Two Valleys Community Land Trust now. Help us to sustain community through affordable housing. To sign-up: click here¨ Become a Member — Two Valleys Community Land Trust As an engaged member, you help shape the future of the TVCLT. Enjoy opportuni- ties to participate in discussions, attend special events, and collaborate on initiatives that preserve affordability and community well-being. For additional ways to sup- port TVCLT, please go to our website: Donate — Two Valleys Community Land Trust

Sage Lane: six units constructed in 2000 and preserved by TVCLT as permanently affordable housing for seniors

Two Valleys Community Land Trust (TVCLT) is a community-based nonprofit membership organization dedicated to creating and preserving permanently afford- able housing in the San Geronimo and Nicasio Valleys. TVCLT’s roots date back to 1978, when local residents founded the San Geronimo Valley Senior Housing Association. Over the decades, the organization evolved into the San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association (SGVAHA), working for over 40 years to cre- ate, preserve, and manage affordable homes that support a culturally and economi- cally diverse community. In 2022, the organization became Two Valleys Community Land Trust, adopting the land trust model to strengthen its work and broaden its impact.

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