Why this 81-year-old sold her $1 million home for half its value

CLAM’s Age-In-Place program is getting national media attention after the SF Chronicle picked up the story this month. If you haven’t followed the story, in January 2022, CLAM finalized an agreement to purchase a multi-unit home in Point Reyes Station at a steeply discounted price. Under a Retained Life Estate agreement, Bobbi will retain ownership of the property and the right to live there throughout her life. Upon her death, ownership will transfer to CLAM, leaving a lasting legacy of affordable homes that will serve the West Marin community and its future generations.

The story of a senior homeowner who sold her home for nearly half its $1 million value so it could become affordable housing was trending at #1 on the Chronicle's Most Popular list of articles, and is inspiring people not only in West Marin, but throughout California and beyond! NBC News, Fortune Magazine, and the Chronicle's Fifth & Mission podcast have also covered the story.

CLAM Board member Susan Brayton shared this: "A friend from Cornwall, England shared the Chronicle article on his Facebook page, as Cornwall is dealing with similar challenges as West Marin. He says, "All is not gloom... [CLAM's story] perhaps points a way to alleviating the Cornwall housing crisis."

We are so inspired by the interest and excitement around creative housing solutions like this one! If you or someone you know might be interested in an arragement like Bobbi's, please reach out to CLAM's Program Manager Ruth Lopez at ruth@clam-ptreyes.org or call the CLAM office at (415) 663-1005. You can learn more about CLAM's Age-in-Place program and other community housing solutions on our website, and read more about Bobbi's story here.