Now Vince's friend, Andy, could no longer continue to wait for housing in Novato that he could afford on his pension. He has gone. He moved out of Novato, out of Marin, out of California, out of the country. Peace be with you, Andy.

Vince and Andy, long time buddies and neighbors in Novato, had high expectations of seeing senior housing built on Hamilton. Vince, a struggling senior with an income of $1,200 a month, relies on a roommate to help pay his rent of $1,200 dollars a month for a two bedroom, one bath. Andy, 86 years young, still works as a full time gardener at his complex in Novato. He’s marking the days until Hamilton’s senior housing is a reality. 
"The only way I really can retire is to have my rent subsidized." I am 86 years old and still working. "What happened? We were next!"

Vince and Andy are standing in front of the site which, in 1993, the City of Novato designated for at least 25 units of senior housing as part of the Master Plan for Hamilton Field. In early 2004, the City selected Mercy Housing California to develop an affordable housing complex for seniors on the 1.5 acre North Hamilton Parkway site.

Between July 2004 and January 2005, Mercy Housing held five community meetings to discuss plans for the development. In early 2005, opposition to the proposed 60 unit development was expressed by some residents in the area. In May 2005, the Novato Housing Coalition presented to the City Council 148 support letters from 163 registered voters supporting the development of 60 units of senior housing on the North Hamilton Parkway site.
In January 2006, City staff resumed working with Mercy Housing to find an additional site to augment the development of 25 units on the North Hamilton Parkway site.   Currently Mercy Housing has suspended planning for a new senior housing development because an additional site has not yet been located.
Novato Housing Coalition would like you to help us let the City Council know that Vince and Andy have been waiting long enough.  Seniors who live in Novato and/or have family in Novato need affordable housing. 

In June 2004 (10 years later) the City Council approved Mercy Housing California to be the affordable housing developer for the site designated in 1993.  City Staff encouraged Mercy to plan for a 60-unit apartment complex with small units for low-income seniors.  In April 2005 City staff informed Mercy Housing that the City Council would not support Mercy plans for a 60-unit development on that site.

Since Mercy needs to develop at least 60 units, to make the project financially feasible, Mercy has now ceased development work until the City can designate an additional site so that a total of at least 60 units can be built.  Mercy intends to use a Federal housing program (Section 202) that provides a capital grant, as well as ongoing rental subsidies.  These rental subsidies will make this senior housing very affordable, even to seniors with extremely low incomes. 
Vince and Any need a bench to sit on while we continue our Novato Housing Coalition's active advocacy to get them a home at Hamilton. We thank the 40 Novato Senior Club members for helping us send their letters to the City Council, asking the Novato Council to quickly find an additional site so that enough units can be built to make the project financially feasible. 
NHC salutes those in our community who provide housing and care for our seniors. Please join us in our efforts to expand senior housing, especially those qualifying for low and very low-income housing. The baby boomers are coming fast and furious. Marin is one of the fastest aging counties in the state of California, by 2020, 50% of our population nationwide will be 65 and older. Novato needs to address this need now.