Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What does “low income” mean? What are the income limits?

State law defines low income as “persons and families whose income does not exceed the qualifying limits for lower income families as established and amended from time to time pursuant to Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.”  The 2020 income limits are: 

• for a 4-person household, the annual income limit for low income is $55,900.
• for an individual, the annual income limit for low income is $39,150.

The qualifying income limits for very low income and extremely low income are less than the above amounts.  HUD updates the income limits typically every year.

2. Will passage of Measure I increase my property taxes or sales taxes?

No; passage of Measure I by the voters will not increase property taxes.  Passage of Measure I will not increase sales taxes either.

3. Does Measure I apply inside the cities?

If Measure I passes, it will only apply in the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County.  It will not apply inside the city limits of any of the seven incorporated cities in Humboldt County.

4. Do the land use and building rules apply to Article 34 housing?

Article 34 housing projects must meet all General Plan, zoning and building requirements just as other projects.  Also, Article 34 housing projects must meet safety standards for fire, road, water, sewer, etc. just as other projects.  Passage of Measure I does not waive or modify these standards.

5. Where can Article 34 housing can be built?

Under State law, Article 34 applies to rental housing of five or more rental housing units on a single lot or adjoining lots of land that use certain types of public financial assistance.  Article 34 also applies to rental housing developments developed or owned by a city or county.  This means Article 34 housing would need to be built on properties planned and zoned to allow multifamily development.  Properties with the appropriate land use and zoning are generally located in the more urbanized areas of Humboldt County.

6. What kind of housing would be built?

If Measure I passes, it is expected that housing constructed using the Article 34 authorization will oftentimes be multifamily apartments.

7. The voters in the cities of Eureka and Arcata already approved Article 34 measures. What kind of Article 34 housing was built? What does it look like?

City of Arcata examples: 

1) Bayview Courtyards: Assessor’s Parcel Number 503-460-0132) Plaza Point: Assessor’s Parcel Number: 021-291-001

City of Eureka Examples:

1) Eureka Family Housing: Assessor’s Parcel Number: 009-014-021

2) The Lodge: Assessor’s Parcel Number: 004-212-001. 

8. What does Measure I’s language of “2.5% of the existing housing” mean in terms of the number of housing units that can be built?

As of January 1, 2019, Humboldt County had 34,861 housing units.*  This means that up to 872 Article 34 housing units can be built if Measure I passes.  [*Source: State Department of Finance, Table E-5 City/County Population and Housing Estimates.]

9. Is there a time limit? Does Measure I expire?

If passed by the voters, Measure I expires when 872 Article 34 housing units are built. There is no deadline for when these housing units need to built.  Passage of Measure I does not mandate that the units be built.

10. If Measure I passes, are developers and builders required to build Article 34 housing?

No, they are not.  Measure I does not mandate developers and builders build Article 34 housing.  Development of Article 34 housing is voluntary.

11. Why did the County and Board of Supervisors put Measure I on the ballot?

Humboldt County’s 2019 Housing Element identified Article 34 of the California Constitution as a significant and unnecessary regulatory barrier to development of affordable housing.  The County’s final adopted 2019 Housing Element (PDF) includes Implementation Measure H-IM26.  This Implementation Measure directs the County to seek local Article 34 authorization as part of the November 3, 2020, General Election. 

12. When is the election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2020.  Please contact the Office of Elections for more information about registering to vote, the November 3, 2020 election or your ballot.