Jared Huffman: “I thank the ranking member and the chairman for the good work that has gone into this very important bill. As somebody…”

“I thank the ranking member and the chairman for the good work that has gone into this very important bill. As somebody who represents one-third of the California coast, obviously, this legislation is important to me. I want to especially thank the chairman and ranking member for one part of this legislation that has special significance to the people of Marin County, whom I am honored to represent. Finding affordable housing in Marin County is very difficult, and it has only gotten harder since the Great Recession and since the rebound in the real estate market. That has had an impact on the families I represent. It has had an impact on businesses and on folks in agriculture who can't find the full-time staff that they need because they can't afford to live in the community. Section 501 of this bill is going to help in a very significant way to address this housing crunch in West Marin. It is going to take some Coast Guard property that is excess property and sell it at fair market value to the County of Marin. This will be a win-win for the County of Marin and also for the Coast Guard. I look forward to seeing the county begin working with local partners on repurposing this property for the public benefit of affordable housing. We still have a long way to go to make sure that working families in places like Marin County and everyplace else have access to quality housing, but this bill is an important step for at least one community that I represent.…”