Linc Housing

Below is a description of the Linc Housing Project. The City would like to hear your feedback and comments.  Please use the discussion tool below to engage. 

Project Description 

In October 2020, Eureka City Council chose Linc Housing to develop three noncontiguous City-owned public parking lots with affordable housing. Two of the lots are located on the outskirts of Downtown, at the northeast corner of 8th and G Streets (across from the Eureka Inn) and the northwest corner of 6th and M Streets (near Eureka City Hall). The third lot is located at Sunny and Myrtle, adjacent to Kool Beanz Coffee & Ice Cream.

Linc Housing’s approved project includes 90 dwelling units total across the three sites:

• 8th & G: A four-story, 31-unit apartment building is proposed at the 0.33-acre 8th & G site. The unit mix will include 14 one-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 9 three-bedroom units. 15 of the units will be reserved for very-low income households, 15 for low-income households, and 1 market-rate manager’s unit.
• 6th & M: A four-story, 28-unit apartment building is proposed at the 0.3-acre 6th & M site. The unit mix will include 12 one-bedroom units, 7 two-bedroom units, and 9 three-bedroom units. 15 of the units will be reserved for very-low income households, 12 for low-income households, and 1 market-rate manager’s unit.
• Sunny & Myrtle: A four-story, 31-unit apartment building is proposed at the 0.4-acre Sunny & Myrtle site. The unit mix will include 16 one-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units. 15 of the units will be reserved for very-low income households, 15 for low-income households, and 1 market-rate manager’s unit.

All three developments will be 100% electric (no reliance on natural gas infrastructure), featuring solar PV panels. Each building will feature on-site amenities including: a large community room; homework room; computer area; on-site resident services provided by Linc Housing Corporation; short-term bicycle parking; secured, overnight bicycle parking; tot lots; and laundry facilities.

See Q&A for information on what constitutes low and very-low income households.

How does the Linc Housing Project help towards the City’s share of the region’s projected housing need?

How was this project initiated?

The City Council adopted the 2019-2027 Housing Element in December 2019, including Housing Element Implementation Measure IMP H-34 (Affordable Housing on City-owned Properties) which identifies 14 City-owned parcels at 8 separate sites to be put up for sale or lease to affordable housing developers with the goal of constructing at least 332 deed-restricted affordable housing units by 2028. The City released the first request for proposals (RFP) in July 2020 for City parking lots at 8th & G, 6th & M, and Sunny & Myrtle, and awarded the first three sites to Linc Housing in October 2020. The City entered into a Lease Disposition and Development Agreement with Linc Housing in March 2021.

What progress has been made on this project?

• Permitting: The project received Design Review approval from the City’s Design Review Committee in February 2021, with modifications approved in June 2022. Having secured all necessary financing (see details below), Linc Housing recently applied for building permits in November and December 2024 with hopes of breaking ground at all sites in Spring 2025.
• Funding: In June 2021, Linc Housing received approval from the Eureka Housing Authority for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development project-based housing vouchers. Then in December 2021, California Department of Housing and Community Development awarded Linc Housing an Infill Infrastructure Grant of $750,000. In August 2023, the City and Linc Housing were awarded an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Round 7 loan and grant of $30.1 million. In addition to funding the housing, the award includes over $9.2 million in funding to the City and Humboldt Transit Authority for significant public infrastructure improvements, and $750,000 in funding for impactful programs (map of planned improvements). In June 2024, it was announced that Linc Housing secured another $15 million through the National Housing Trust Fund Program. Linc Housing then applied for tax credits in July 2024, which were awarded in October 2024. The project is now fully financed.
• Community Outreach: Linc Housing held two community meetings on April 29, 2021 and May 11, 2021 via Zoom, and two meetings on February 8 and March 9, 2023 at the Jefferson Community Center and via Zoom. Linc Housing also hosted an online survey, which received 312 responses. Since Fall of 2020, Linc has also held 19 small group meetings with community-based organizations, tribal entities, and other stakeholders, and has worked closely with City and Humboldt Transit Authority staff to identify needed public improvements to serve the future residents and surrounding community.

Who is Linc Housing?

Linc Housing is a 39-year-old nonprofit affordable housing builder and owner. Their mission is to build communities and strengthen neighborhoods for people underserved by the market. Linc has successfully created over 9,000 affordable apartments housing over 13,500 current residents, with over 1,500 additional apartments in development. You can find out more about Linc at their website, The Linc Between Hope and Home | Linc Housing.