Wiyot Housing

(Rendering for 6^th and L Street Project)

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

Project Description 

In July 2023, Eureka City Council chose the Wiyot Tribe’s Dishgamu Humboldt Community Land Trust to develop two separate City-owned parking lots with affordable housing. One lot is located at the northwest corner of 6^th and L, adjacent to Eureka City Hall, and the other lot is located at the northwest corner of 5^th and D, adjacent to the vacant lot where the Lloyd building was recently demolished. 

The Wiyot Tribe’s initial conceptual plans propose 93 dwelling units total across the two sites:

• 6^th & L: The 6th and L Street project will include 52 housing units designed to serve independent elders. The building will offer a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. A ground-floor community dining hall with a commercial kitchen will provide regular meal service to residents and will also be available for community events. The ground floor will also accommodate 20 dedicated City vehicle parking spaces in a separate garage accessed from the alley. To encourage social interaction among residents, the design includes an exterior community patio on the second floor. The proposed five-story building (shown above) features architectural elements inspired by traditional Wiyot village structures.
• 5^th & D: The 5^th and D Street project will include 41 housing units designed to serve multigenerational and young families. The building will offer a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. In addition to the residential spaces, the development will include an on-site daycare center and various resident amenity spaces. The proposed five-story building incorporates architectural elements inspired by traditional Wiyot village structures.

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

How does the Wiyot 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. On April 4, 2023, Council authorized release of the RFP for the 5^th & D and 6^th & L Sites, and awarded the Sites to the Wiyot Tribe on July 18, 2023.

What progress has been made on this project?

The project is just kicking off. The Wiyot need to secure financing and work through the City’s entitlement process, which includes Design Review approval and building permits. Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Wiyot Tribe/ Dishgamu Humboldt CLT, at least one community meeting will be held before plans are submitted for Design Review approval. This first community meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM at Eureka City Hall (531 K Street) 2^nd Floor Council Chambers and via Zoom (link to come).