Plans to develop housing and expand space for supportive employment ventures adjacent to our Next Key Center took a step forward in January as the Novato Design Review Commission unanimously approved our exterior design and landscape plans.
The proposal, now advancing for further review by the City of Novato, includes 24 units of supportive housing for homeless veterans and 26 units of affordable workforce housing on the 2.8-acre site known as the “HUD parcel.” The proposal includes a manufacturing kitchen for Wagster Treats, the gourmet dog biscuits produced by Homeward Bound, and space for small cooking or baking classes.
The plan calls for a total of three buildings: two housing structures, each two stories tall, and a single-story building for culinary activities. A cluster of dilapidated warehouses now occupies the property in the Hamilton neighborhood of Novato.
The proposed development expands successful housing and social enterprise programs at the adjacent property, which houses the training kitchen for Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, and the Next Key Apartments. By adding the units designated for veterans, Homeward Bound estimates Marin can be one of the first counties in the state to effectively end veteran homelessness.
Read more about the proposal in a recent article by the Marin Independent Journal.
About Homeward Bound of Marin
Homeward Bound of Marin is the primary provider of Marin County homeless shelters and services for homeless families and individuals in Marin, California. Learn more about our programs here.