Sunset Heights

Below is a description of the Sunset Heights Project. The City would like to hear your questions and comments.  Please use the discussion tool below to engage.

Project Description 

On September 5, 2023, City Council entered into an agreement with Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation (RCHDC) for development of the City-owned, 4.18-acre “Sunset Heights” property located between W. Henderson and W. Harris Streets directly east and upslope of Broadway. The proposed development will include 88 dwelling units (86 affordable units and two manager’s units) in four buildings with two indoor community centers and two outdoor plazas. The proposed buildings will also include laundry facilities and bicycle storage space. The dwelling units will be a mix of studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments.

How does the Sunset Heights 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 City-owned parcels 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 four contiguous Sunset Heights parcels were added to the program in 2022, after Pierson Properties & Development, LLC came forward with a proposal to swap three of the City-owned Downtown parking lot sites originally included in the program for the Sunset Heights property. The City acquired the Sunset Heights property from Pierson in early 2022, and officially added the site to the housing program in October 2022. On September 5, 2023, City Council entered into an agreement with RCHDC for development of Sunset Heights with a minimum of 80 affordable dwelling units.  

What progress has been made on this project?

To receive feedback on public priorities prior to development of a conceptual design, RCHDC and the City of Eureka held an initial public meeting at City Hall and via Zoom on November 15, 2023, and released an online survey which received 298 responses. The meeting and survey results informed development of two conceptual design options which were brought to City Council for review on May 7, 2024. Council collectively voiced preference for the first of the two options, and the project’s architect used that feedback to draft detailed plans. The project then received Design Review approval from the City’s Planning Commission at a notice public hearing on December 11, 2024. The Planning Commission also approved a lot line adjustment at the same hearing to reconfigure the four existing parcels into two parcels. RCHDC anticipates separating the development into two 44-unit projects for the purposes of securing financing, and the lot line adjustment allows for the two sub-projects to each be located on their own parcel.  Once the lot line adjustment is recorded, RCHDC may apply to the City for building permits to construct the project. 

Timing is contingent on RCHDC securing funding. In June 2024, RCHDC entered into a contract with Redwood Coast Regional Center (RCRC) for RCRC to provide $1 million to support housing of RCRC clients in a portion of the units. In addition, RCHDC is currently working with the City of Eureka and Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) on an application for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) funding program. If the application is successful, AHSC will not only help finance the housing, but will fund public transportation and infrastructure improvements in the vicinity of Sunset Heights for a safer and more connected city. RCHDC, the City of Eureka, and HTA are hosting a community meeting on Monday February 24, 2025, 6:30-7:30 PM at Alice Birney Elementary School to get input on potential public transportation and infrastructure improvements to include in the application.  

Who is RCHDC?

Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation (RCHDC) provided the following description of their organization:

“RCHDC is a nonprofit dedicated to providing decent and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income persons in rural northern California. We strive to be a strong, dynamic, and flexible organization; effective at achieving our mission through our efforts and partnerships both public and private. RCHDC has developed over 700 units and manages over 1,400 units of multi-family affordable housing for individuals and families, elderly, and special needs populations. This extensive organizational history exemplifies our experience and capacity for developing and owning affordable housing. Throughout the last seven years, RCHDC has expanded its knowledge of Housing First Principles as evidenced by our successful collaborations with the Counties of Siskiyou, Mendocino, Lake, Tehama, and Humboldt to develop five No Place Like Home developments for people experiencing homelessness and/or serious mental illness.

RCHDC’s approach to developing affordable housing in the City of Eureka will be driven by the needs of the local community. To understand and plan for a project that meets those needs, we focus on five essential components – building a project-specific team, ensuring community involvement and integration, knowing the market and target population, assessing the built environment possibilities, and matching the appropriate funding sources. We look forward to expanding housing opportunities in the beautiful City of Eureka.”

Here is a link to the Sunset Heights Project Website for more information: https://www.eurekaca.gov/889/SUNSET-HEIGHTS-MULTI-FAMILY-HOUSING-DEVE