Safe and stable housing is foundational for well-being. From the youngest of children to working families and older adults—people who’ve been anchoring their community for generations—housing is a basic need that supports all of us. When housing is unstable, it undermines everyone.
For a child, living with uncertainty about your family home makes it very hard to focus on just about everything, especially learning.
Dr. Tracy Smith, Superintendent of Novato Unified School District, sees it every day. The housing instability that many Novato students face doesn’t stop at the door. It follows children into the classroom, affecting their attendance, their concentration, and their ability to learn and thrive.
In Marin County, over 1,000 public school children experienced homelessness during the 2022 school year. That’s 4% of all public-school children in our county, with Latino children experiencing the highest rates. Children in families of low-income are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity.
Watch Dr. Tracy Smith explain how stable housing is foundational for the success of every student.
Our children deserve better and together we can do better. That’s why the City of Novato is considering a Just Cause Eviction Ordinance to increase housing security for households that rent in Novato.
Under the Ordinance, if a renter is required to relocate at no fault of their own, landlords would be required to provide reasonable notice and relocation assistance so they can find new housing and stay in the community. This provides a foundation of fairness and predictability that families and children need to put down roots and build a future here. And when local children and families succeed, our entire community benefits.
Your voice matters. Sign this petition and join us in letting the Novato City Council know that there is strong community support to protect local tenants.
Together we can ensure that all Novato children and families have what they need to thrive in our community. Let’s join our voices and let the Novato City Council know that all Novato families deserve the fairness and stability this ordinance would provide. Join us!