Community members, along with local, county, and state officials, celebrated the renovation of 429 ½ Johnson Street into two units of affordable housing for City employees. The afternoon highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating affordable housing in Marin County.

Longtime Sausalito resident Dorothy Gibson bequeathed the home to the City in 2019 to provide affordable housing to City employees. The former single-family home has since been converted to two one-bedroom units. Both the County and State contributed $500,000 to the project. Mayor Steven Woodside, Vice Mayor Melissa Blaustein, Councilmember Jill Hoffman, Senator Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Damon Connolly, and Marin County Executive Derek Johnson gave remarks.

"Dorothy's extraordinary generosity is at the heart of this entire project," said Assemblymember Damon Connolly. "It's a powerful reminder of how one person's decisions can ripple outward and have a real impact on the entire community."

"Dorothy poured her heart into this community. She loved its charm, small town values, but most importantly, she loved the people of Sausalito" added Senator Mike McGuire. "Her dream is now a reality."

Gibson was deeply committed to expanding affordable housing, especially for City employees who might otherwise not be able to live locally. Marin County Executive Derek Johnson noted that 65 percent of County of Marin employees commute from other parts of the Bay Area. 

"To have the partnership between the county, the City, and the state and everyone to bring this to fruition is emblematic of what we can do when we put our hearts and minds together," Johnson said.

Councilmember Jill Hoffman knew Dorothy Gibson personally and reflected on her legacy.

"You can feel Dorothy's presence here," said Hoffman. "And for those of us who knew her and loved her, it's a living memorial to Dorothy."

Heidi Snowden, Gibson's neighbor, painted a portrait to memorialize her. Special thanks to Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, City Manager Chris Zapata, Homeward Bound and City staff members Kevin McGowan, Ali Iqbal, Katherine Nikitas, Pat Guasco, Oscar Lucario, Shehriyar Bukhari, the maintenance department, and community members.

You can see the before and after transformation of the house on the City's website. Learn more about Dorothy Gibson on the City's website.