350 Merrydale Affordable Housing Development Project Subcommittee 08/20/2026

The City of San Rafael held a subcommittee meeting on August 20, 2026, to discuss the Request for Proposals (RFP) responses for the development of affordable housing at 350 Merrydale Road. The city received five proposals and identified three strong candidates: EAH Housing, Eden Housing, and Saha. Each developer presented their vision, design approach, affordability levels, and community engagement plans. Key procurement-related topics included the requirement to entitle at least 80 affordable housing units by June 2028, lease terms of 99 years at $1 annually, and the importance of long-term property management and resident services. Public comments and subcommittee discussions emphasized the need for neighborhood compatibility, environmental sustainability, adequate parking, and on-site services. The subcommittee provided feedback on selection criteria such as unit count, parking, neighborhood improvements, and long-term operational commitments. Staff indicated they would use this input to recommend a developer to the full city council in an upcoming meeting, with further community engagement and project refinement to follow.