Help Marin Valley Seniors Secure The Land They Paid For 
 
Seniors at Marin Valley Mobile Country Club in Novato are at risk of the City selling the land under their homes to a private developer. For years, they made payments believing they would one day own it. Now the City of Novato says the land belongs to them and will not transfer it. The City has no equity in the land as no general funds have ever been used to purchase or maintain the property. Residents have paid it all. Many residents are older, on fixed incomes, and have few places to go. Their only option for maintaining long-term housing security is resident-controlled ownership.  

Chapter 1: Meet the Residents of MVMCC

Watch our docu-series “Marin Valley Stories”

Timeline of events and supporting documents: The Marin Valley Mobile Country Club Timeline

Act now. Contact city leaders and ask them to honor the agreement so these seniors can stay in their homes. 

Clicking or tapping the mail link will provide a pre-formatted and addressed email, simply personalize with your name)

Contact List:

• Rachel Farac, Mayor of Novato – rfarac@novato.gov
  Phone: (415) 798-7172
• Kevin Jacobs, Mayor Pro Tem – kjacobs@novato.gov
  Phone (415) 209-8937
• Amy Cunningham, City Manager – citymanager@novato.gov
  acunningham@novato.gov
• Bill Rose, Assistant City Manager – brose@novato.gov
  
• Gary Bell, City Attorney – Gbell@chwlaw.us
  Phone: 415.899.8900
• Councilmembers
  • Pat Eklund – peklund@novato.gov
    Phone: 415.883.9116
  • Sandeep Karkal – skarkal@novato.gov
    Phone: 415.271.4964
  • Tim O’Connor – toconnor@novato.gov
    Phone: 415.798.6159

Template:

Dear [Mayor/Councilmember/etc],

I am writing to urge you to honor the intention of the original agreement and transfer ownership of Marin Valley Mobile Country Club to the residents via a non-profit structure once the loan is paid off.

For nearly 30 years, these residents have made payments on the loan used to purchase this land. That loan is now close to being fully paid. The City of Novato neither funded the purchase nor the ongoing costs of maintaining the property, yet is now claiming full ownership.

Many of the residents are seniors living on fixed incomes. They have invested their savings into this community with the clear understanding that they would one day own the land. Reversing that understanding now, at the end of the loan term, raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and the City’s commitment to keeping its word.

Decisions like this shape public trust. Taking ownership of land that residents have spent decades paying for will not go unnoticed and will have lasting impact on how the community views its leadership.

I ask that you act with integrity, honor the original intent, and protect the long-term housing security of these residents. They deserve fairness, stability, and the chance to remain in the community they helped build.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Respectfully,
[Your Name]

MARIN VALLEY MOBILE COUNTRY CLUB SENIORS NEED YOUR HELP

Since 1997, residents have paid almost $30 million in loans and interest to buy the land beneath their homes. They believed that once the loan was paid off in 2027, the land would belong to them. The City of Novato helped set up the loan but did not pay for the property. Now, as the loan is almost paid off, the City says it will keep the land. 

Residents have tried to fix this. They have asked to work things out and even offered to buy the land again. There is still no agreement. Many people in this community are elderly and cannot easily move or afford new housing. Without action, they could lose their housing security. Your voice can help protect them.