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 “Sunset Heights” property located at 1200 West Harris Street (see map above). Pursuant to the City’s Housing Element, a minimum of 80 affordable dwelling units will be developed on this approximately 3.5-acre site, which contains four contiguous parcels.

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 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 now the project’s architect is using that feedback to draft more detailed plans. The final design will be taken to the City’s Design Review Committee or Planning Commission for Design Review approval at a noticed public hearing (the date of which is still to be determined). Once Design Review approval is secured and a merger/lot line adjustment is approved and recorded, RCHDC may apply to the City for building permits to construct the project. Timing is contingent on RCHDC securing funding. Per the City’s agreement with RCHDC, at least one more public meeting will be held to encourage public input on the project prior to RCHDC applying for a building permit.

Who is RCHDC? 

Rural Communities Housing Development Corporation (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 7 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