PORTRAIT OF A PLACE
HUMBOLDT HOUSING PROJECT
SHARE YOUR STORY / follow progress in the Journal
If you have been affected by the local housing supply and affordability crisis, have thoughts on the topic, or are working to change the situation, please call or text to share your story.
What is your vision for this place, how do you and your neighbors fit into the future?
(707) 273-1319
HUMHOUSINGPROJECT@GMAIL.COM
Text, recordings, form submissions, or e-mails may be included in an online public forum as well as a physical exhibition later in the year. While “going on record” by including your name is helpful, it is not necessary and if you prefer to participate anonymously you are welcome to do so. Callers may wish to include their name, pronouns, length of time living in the county, employer, position in government, city of residence or preferred city of residence it’s up to you.Growing Pains
Humboldt County has always been a place with special attributes, it’s rural, beautiful, and culturally unique. In spite of this, it has a long history of being a tough place to get by. The cost of living when compared to average income levels has long been exorbitant.
As the Covid-19 Pandemic began to take hold in 2020 we were already experiencing a major downturn in the local cannabis industry, one of the primary drivers of the local economy.
Additionally, like so many rural communities in California and the country, we began to see an influx of people looking to get out of the dense urban centers. Our real estate and rental market seemed exceptionally affordable by comparison and prices rose with demand though supply was essentially stagnant. Shortly thereafter, Humboldt State University announced its transformation to become Cal Poly Humboldt and with it, the intention to increase enrollment from 5,600 to 11,000 students in just a few years.
Arcata, which had projected essentially zero growth for many years, had suddenly been told its population will quickly increase by over 20%.
Hearing this news, some landlords immediately increased rent by hundreds of dollars per month. The one bedroom I rented in 2014 with essentially no upgrades now rents for more than twice as much. While median household income in the city has risen from $30,244 to $39,069, essentially all gains in wages are consumed by rent increases and the little left over is swiftly taken by the increased cost of all other essential goods, leaving many behind where they were nearly a decade ago. While these numbers are specifically for Arcata, the county at large is in a similar position.
Update: Cal Poly Humboldt announced its intention to significantly increase enrollment for the 2023/24 academic year. The school will no longer ensure on campus housing for Juniors and Seniors.
University construction isn’t expected to increase the housing supply until 2025 and even then it will be inadequate for the increased enrollment. Arcata and neighboring communities are expected to absorb the influx despite a shockingly low vacancy rate.
MY STORY
When I arrived in Humboldt in 2014 I intended to visit friends for a week or two in the summer and return to Portland Oregon. But I couldn't help it, I fell for this place.
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PHOTOGRAPHERHere is a small but delicious tomato from the 2022 growing season.
When I decided to stay, I first rented a room in a shared "warehouse compound" in Arcata. The room had a cement floor, one 250v industrial outlet in the wall and remnants of potting soil scattered about.
For the first few weeks I slept inside my tent in the room and charged my phone at a coffee shop. I had to leave this space and walk around the building to access a bathroom. Eventually I rented a one bedroom apartment that been well maintained, but not updated in at least 20 years. It cost about $200 less than a significantly newer, two bedroom apartment I had previously lived in about 15 minutes from downtown Portland, Oregon. As it turned out, rent for the one bedroom was considered exceptionally affordable when compared to others in town.
Since 2014 my appreciation of Humboldt has only continued to grow. I love this place and take stake in the community, I have slowly built a photography business, been on the board of a nonprofit, volunteered many times, worked on and shared art projects locally and featured my local landscapes images in exhibitions as far away as my home state of New Jersey. I'm invested in this place, I love it and I want the people here to thrive.
Over the last few years we have all seen the cost of living continue to climb, housing is hardly affordable for people living on local wages, and the number of people on the streets continues to grow.
I have felt the crush myself and over the last few years have become increasingly concerned about my and my neighbors ability to remain in the communities we love.
UPDATE:
On February 1st, 2023 I was served with a notice of intent to terminate my rental contract. Known as a “No-Fault Eviction” this type of termination is one of the remaining loopholes landlords can use to remove tenants who have a clean rental history of more than one year. “Substantial Renovations,” was listed as the reason for termination.
To my knowledge my home is 100% fine other than the aesthetics of older fixtures. After nearly 9 years in the same apartment complex, it’s shocking to be thrust back into this rental market.
It feels as though I am being assaulted, and there is no means of self defense. A bruiseless violence.
Realizing affordability and access to housing is a growing problem in our community, the Humboldt County Association of Governments was able to procure funding to sponsor various artists through the REAP grant program. The goal of which is to help connect our communities on the topic and further the dialogue needed to shape our future for the better. I was fortunate enough for this project proposal to be accepted and through it I am eager to help further the dialogue.