The Journey Home Begins with Community

For longtime resident Jose Lemus, low-cost housing has been a lifeline, allowing him to stay rooted in a neighborhood full of culture and community.

The Canal is a neighborhood with strength and resilience. Despite facing challenges, it continues to stand tall—vibrant with energy and full of hardworking immigrants striving for a better life.

Jose Lemus, a Guatemalan immigrant, has called the Canal home for 25 years. Living with his wife and daughter, he knows firsthand how vital affordable housing is to preserving the community’s culture. “Low-cost affordable housing helps you a lot. If it weren’t for the Canal Institution helping me with my apartment, I think I would have had to leave by now.”

Jose, now retired, maintains a simple but fulfilling daily routine. He rises early each morning, enjoying a peaceful walk—sometimes reaching the middle of the Richmond Bridge before turning back. Thanks to the stability of affordable housing, Jose and his family have been able to stay in the neighborhood they love.

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“People need a home where they can live in peace, without the fear of being evicted because they can’t pay their rent,” says Cristina Parra, senior coordinator of Civic Engagement at Canal Alliance. She emphasizes the importance of securing housing so residents like Jose can rest easy, knowing their future is stable.

“You know that things belong to you when you love the place where you live,” says Jose, reflecting on his enduring connection to the Canal.

Thriving communities begin with home.

Canal Alliance is a nonprofit champion of immigrants who are challenged by a lack of resources and an unfamiliar environment. They believe everyone has the right to achieve their dreams. Because when we support immigrants, Marin becomes a place where everyone can live, learn, work, and succeed.