Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.]

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.

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

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. 

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.