Housing Division

Project Homekey in Valley West 

PROJECT HOMEKEY was created to provide $1.4 billion in funding for rapid creation of housing for those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, who are more likely to be impacted by COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, and to ensure sustainability of the housing.

  • Red Roof Inn, 4975 Valley West Blvd., Danco Properties
  • Days Inn, 4701 Valley West Blvd., Arcata House Partnership

These experienced housing leaders will partner with the City of Arcata to apply for Homekey funding.  Approximately 140 rooms are planned between the two locations, to include 24/7 security and services to residents.  Two community meetings were held on December 1, 2021 to discuss the projects:

Meeting with Target Population:  An estimated 18 houseless people attended to hear about the project and to provide input on services that would provide stability for residents and better quality of life.  Arcata House Partnership, Danco Communities, and the City of Arcata were present to provide information about the projects and to answer questions.

Meeting with Business Owners and Neighborhood:  56 people attended a zoom meeting targeted toward neighborhood businesses, residents, and property owners.  The meeting was recorded after moderator David Loya asked for objections and received none.  

Download and view the recorded zoom meeting.  

In addition to direct questions and answers, questions were posed in the Chat module.  Find a copy of the information here.  The chat was modified to remove names, clarify some questions, and provide some chat answers.

The City Council approved a request to submit the grants on December 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.  The Council also introduced Ordinance 1554, a request to amend the Land Use Code (LUC) to change the zoning at the two sites to :HH Housing for Homeless combining zone with permanent supportive housing.

  1. The Council will have a joint Study Session with the Planning Commission on January 4, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed change to the LUC.  The meeting may be viewed on Zoom, and there will be a period of time for public comment.
  2. The City Council will address Ordinance 1554 at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 5, 2022.

Call 707-825-2168 to speak with Susan if you have questions.

Housing Programs

A variety of housing opportunities in the city of Arcata is a primary goal of the City Council. The Housing Division has been successful in applying for and obtaining grant funding to provide affordable housing opportunities in Arcata. The Housing Division also collaborates with the Planning Division to assist developers of affordable and market rate housing projects.

Housing programs offered vary depending on grant funds that are available at the time. Current programs support the following:

  • A range of housing choices, including affordable housing for individuals and groups;
  • Infill development in vacant, brownfield, and underutilized land;
  • Creation of residential units on upper floors of businesses; 

Most housing programs are open to applicants who meet State income qualification guidelines. Income limits are determined by the CA Department of Housing and Community Development.

Affordable Housing in Arcata

Click here for a list of Affordable Housing resources in Arcata.

Assistance for Qualified Homebuyers

The Homeownership Program provides assistance toward the purchase price and closing costs of affordable housing units that will be occupied by the homebuyers as their primary residence. This program provides gap financing for homebuyers who meet income qualification requirements. The gap financing is secondary to other lender financing, and is the difference between what a buyer qualifies for with conventional financing and the home purchase price.  

  • Applicants must have incomes at or below 80% of the County's area median income, adjusted for household size.  Find limits effective June 1, 2021 here.
  • Homes must be located within the Arcata city limits. 
  • The maximum purchase price is $307,000 (effective June 1, 2021).
  • Applicants must qualify for primary financing with another lender.
  • Secondary City loans are made at 1.5% simple interest with payments deferred for 30 years.

Complete details about the Homebuyer Program are available in the Homebuyer Assistance Acquisition Only Guidelines.

Application Process

  1. Complete a Homeownership Program Pre-Application to be placed on the waitlist.
  2. Obtain Preapproval from a Primary Lender.
  3. When the Preapproval is received from a Primary Lender, a Full Application will be provided to the applicant to complete.
  4. Once an executed Purchase Contract is obtained, the application will be re-evaluated for program compliance.
  5. Each applicant must participate in Homebuyer Counseling.
  6. The potential homebuyer is given 90 days to find a qualified home and begin securing a primary loan for the housing unit.

Forms

Sewer Lateral Rehab Loans

The City of Arcata offers low-interest sewer lateral rehabilitation loans to qualified applicants.  Please visit the Sewer Lateral Rehab Loans page for more details.

  1.  Tenant Protection Programs
  2. Mobilehome Parks
  3. Housing Projects
  4. Housing Element
  5. Substandard Housing

Tenant Protection Act of 2019

The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 went into effect on January 1, 2020, and provides for two tenant protective measures:

  1. Limits Annual Rent Increases
  2. Requires "Just Cause" for Termination

To determine if the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 applies to your situation, visit Tenantprotections.org.

COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act - Expiration

The COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act – SB91 (Act) was signed into law January 29, 2021. The Act extended eviction protections to COVID-19 impacted tenants and established the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.  It was extended to, and expired on, June 30, 2021.

For more information, visit the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency website at  https://www.bcsh.ca.gov/covidrelief/.