Beyond the Seashore: MALT’s Response to Agricultural Housing Crisis
By Lily Verdone,
Executive Director
April 9, 2025
The recent settlement at Point Reyes National Seashore (Seashore) represents a profound shift for our agricultural community, particularly impacting the farmworkers, tenants, and families who call the Seashore home—many of whom are Latino agricultural workers already facing housing insecurity throughout our region. While the agreement includes transition support for these households, the challenge of finding affordable housing elsewhere in Marin remains daunting.
This is not an isolated incident. The 2024 “Growing Together” study revealed the stark reality facing agricultural workers across West Marin: substandard housing conditions, extreme overcrowding, high poverty rates, and limited pathways to homeownership. Much of the rental housing for agricultural workers in West Marin fails to meet building standards and sometimes lacks basic amenities, yet it’s all that’s available, affordable, and close to where these essential workers contribute to our local food system.
Progress on Interim Solutions
On March 11, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a Shelter Crisis Declaration and Alternative Building Codes, paving the way for interim housing solutions for families at risk of displacement. This is a major step to address interim housing solutions for displaced community members. MALT is now working in collaboration with the county, funders, and other local partners to support next steps, including exploring interim housing sites on ranches and identifying ways to work within our easement structure to allow for interim housing during this crisis.
But there’s a long road ahead.
For 45 years, MALT has protected Marin’s farmland. We believe preserving agriculture today also includes addressing the needs of the people who make it possible. With nearly 59,000 acres and 98 easements protected—representing more than $100 million leveraged through partnerships, including Marin County voter-supported Measure A—we’ve built a strong foundation for agricultural land conservation. Now we must evolve to meet the changing needs of our community.
Taking Action
We’re taking concrete steps toward solutions:
• Broadening the definition of agricultural worker housing in our newest easements to include those working in regional agriculture, not just on specific properties
• Partnering with community organizations and county agencies to support more streamlined permitting for agricultural worker housing
• Educating easement holders and decision-makers on housing options allowed on MALT easements
• Supporting farmers and ranchers looking for farmland, building the public and political will to empower those most impacted
We recognize that MALT cannot solve this challenge alone. We will continue to look for ways to support partner organizations and agencies who are leading efforts to address this housing crisis. We are grateful for the ecosystem of support that exists in our community and believe that excellence in our individual missions, combined with unity in our collective effort, is the path forward. By each bringing our unique strengths to bear on this issue, we can achieve far more than any single organization could alone.
Looking Forward
Since our founding, our work hasn’t just been about conservation—it’s about community. As we approach our 50th anniversary, we’re committed to ensuring MALT continues to evolve to meet these new challenges while staying true to our roots of farmland conservation.
Your steadfast support over the years has made MALT’s work possible. The agricultural land we’ve protected together, the stewardship practices we’ve advanced, and the relationships we’ve built with farmers and ranchers are all a testament to your commitment to Marin’s agricultural heritage. As we face these new challenges together, we’re profoundly grateful for your partnership in this journey and the difference you’ve helped make in our community.