Arcadia staff warn RHNA numbers are unusually high as HCOG adopts VMT-focused method and Eureka appeals

Community Development Director David Loya presented an update on the regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) methodology and what it means for Arcadia. Loya said HCOG (the Humboldt Council of Governments) coordinated a methodology that the board adopted; the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is reviewing it and the city is now in a 60-day review period during which Eureka has filed an appeal.

Loya said the region’s eight-year housing allocation totals were spoken about in multiple ways in the presentation (he referenced figures spoken as roughly 6,960 and also 5,962 units); for Arcadia the staff estimate is approximately 1,000 units over the eight-year cycle. Staff described how HCOG applied a 50% regional jobs / 50% regional population weighting, adjusted for past affordable-housing performance, and then evaluated options that also include an 'opportunity score' to meet the state's new 'affirmatively furthering fair housing' requirement and work-based VMT (vehicle miles traveled) metrics.

Loya said the COG ultimately adopted Method 2, which places heavier emphasis on work-based VMT and the opportunity score; staff had recommended Method 3 because it balanced opportunity score, VMT and regional income parity and more closely matched what local jurisdictions previously approved. Loya characterized the RHNA totals for this cycle as “ludicrously high,” noting the group must nonetheless plan for them because housing-element certification depends on using the adopted RHNA numbers.

Staff explained practical consequences if jurisdictions cannot certify housing elements: loss of some state transportation and housing funds, exposure to builders-remedy projects, and other enforcement actions. Loya said the city plans to multi-track housing-element work so it can complete parts of the update that do not require final RHNA numbers and will seek legislative and agency assistance where possible.

Commissioners questioned attainability and rural constraints (ocean, redwoods, farmland) and raised the university’s role: commissioners said Cal Poly acquisitions can remove parcels that local planners hoped to count toward housing capacity. Loya said the city remains in regular communication with Cal Poly but does not control university acquisitions and is working with legislators on policy responses.

A public commenter, Joanne McGarry, described local confusion about the high RHNA numbers and said county leaders attribute homelessness to wealth inequality. Commissioners suggested creative local planning, greater use of infill and grant-funded tools (Arcadia won a HUD Pro Housing grant) to pursue achievable local options despite statewide requirements.

Staff did not request formal action from the commission on RHNA at this meeting; they noted Eureka’s appeal will proceed and that HCD’s review period extends the timeline. Loya said the city will continue to prepare housing-element policies while the appeal and HCD review conclude.