FAQs
How do we ensure the developments remain affordable?
The City’s agreements with the affordable housing developments require the recordation of a deed restriction against the subject properties to run with the land setting forth the requirement to provide affordable units for a period of at least 55 years.
What is the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)?
Since 1969, the State of California has required that all cities and counties adequately plan to meet the housing needs of everyone in their communities. To meet this requirement, each city and county must develop a Housing Element as part of its General Plan (the local government’s long-range blueprint for growth) that shows how it will meet its community’s housing needs. There are many laws that govern this process, and collectively they are known as Housing Element law.
Every eight years, every city and county in California must update their Housing Element and obtain certification from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The current Housing Element cycle for the Humboldt region runs from 2019-2027. HCD determines the number of new homes by income category the Humboldt region needs to plan for during the current Housing Element cycle, and Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) distributes the region’s housing allocation amongst the seven cities and County of Humboldt. The City of Eureka was allocated a RHNA of 952 units (i.e., a goal of constructing 952 new housing units within City limits between 2019-2027). The RHNA goal is divided into four income levels as follows:
City of Eureka 2019-27 RHNA | |
Very Low Income (VLI) | 231 units |
Low Income (LI) | 147 units |
Moderate Income (MI) | 172 units |
Above Moderate Income (AMI) | 402 units |
Total | 953 units |
How is Eureka doing in terms of its RHNA goals?
As seen in the table below, 218 new residences have been permitted in Eureka since 2019, but to meet the RHNA goal for the current Housing Element cycle, 734 additional dwelling units will need to be built by 2027.
What is considered affordable housing?
Affordable housing generally means not spending more than 30% of a household’s income on housing, including rent and utilities for renters, and mortgage, interest, insurance, taxes and utilities for homeowners. For purposes of affordable housing planning and funding, State Housing law establishes the following income levels:
Very Low Income | 31 to 50% Area Median Income |
Low Income | 51 to 80% Area Median Income |
Moderate Income | 81 to 120% Area Median Income |
Above Moderate Income | >120% Area Median Income |
According to the Census, median household income in Eureka is $46,926 (2017-2021). However, for the purpose of determine affordable housing prices, HCD has set the 2023 median income in Humboldt County at $83,800 for a family of four (HCD raises Humboldt County’s area median income to equal California’s non-metropolitan median income). HCD uses the $83,800 median income value to determine which Humboldt County households qualify as very-low income, low income, and moderate income as follows:
Official 2023 State Income Limits for Humboldt County by Income Category
| Household Size | |||
Income Category | 4-person | 3-person | 2-person | 1-person |
Very Low Income | $41,250 | $37,150 | $33,000 | $28,900 |
Low Income | $65,950 | $59,400 | $52,800 | $46,200 |
Moderate Income | $100,550 | $90,500 | $80,450 | $70,400 |
As shown in the table above, if a four-person household earns the median household income in Eureka of $46,926, that household qualifies as low-income. A one-person household earning $46,926 qualifies as moderate income. For context, the minimum wage in California increased to $16.00 per hour in January 2024. A person working full time (2,080 hours per year) and earning minimum wage will bring home $33,280 in 2024.