Blue Lake

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
841
Density
1425
Avg. Household Income
$
48807
Experiencing Rent Burden
46
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Blue Lake
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 18% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2018
 
-
 
2027
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
7
 / 
23
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city general plan for qualifying affordable housing projects. If a Builders Remedy project application was submitted prior to 1/1/2025, there are virtually no limits on the size and density of a project proposed. Subsequent to 1/1/2025, in exchange for more certainty in the entitlement process, AB 1893 limits the density for Builders Remedy projects.
Applies
Applies
Applies
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
50% Affordable
50% Affordable
Conditions in 
Humboldt County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Blue Lake
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a worse job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
-6
-6
Income
0
0
Density
-1
-1
Blue Lake
's Plan
Add Policy
Key parts of
Blue Lake
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Impactful Housing Element Policies:
No prioritized policies
There are no prioritized housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Other Tracked Housing Element Policies:
No other policies
There are no other housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Join the Fun!
Join
Our volunteers, watchdogs, push cities to enact good housing policy and keep tabs on the city’s policy progress. Sign up to help push
Blue Lake
 reach its housing targets.
Humboldt County
's Volunteers
4
Current Watchdogs
  
Level I
4/10 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Become a Volunteer
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Blue Lake
's Reports
Anonymous
  
05
/
25

The City Council in a 4-0 vote has directed their staff to prepare a compliance schedule for adoption of the housing element for submission to HCD.  The City Council recently chose not to adopt the 6th cycle housing element, against the recommendation of their staff and Planning Commission and recently received a compliance letter from HCD.  The Council is asking for several more months to review the housing element and continues to tie the housing element to an affordable housing project that is proposed for the community.  The Council does not seem to be able to separate the housing element "plan" from the affordable housing "project."  At this point, the housing element is being used as a tool to try to prevent the affordable housing project from going forward.  The housing element was ready for adoption in December 2024, but with a Council change after the November election, the new Council is taking a firm position against adoption.

Read More
Humboldt County City Council - May 27, 2025
   
05
/
25
 Loss
2
/
6
 Pro Housing
Humboldt County City Council - May 27, 2025
   
05
/
25
 Win
2
/
6
 Pro Housing
City Council
   
05
/
25
Deferred
2
/
6
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
  
03
/
24

- Which city(s) are you monitoring, and which chapter(s) if any are you coordinating with?

    - Humboldt County 

    - Arcada, Eureka, Humboldt County

- Do you know if your city committed to a rezoning?

    - Yes

    - What is the deadline for this rezoning?

        - Deadline in general plan was supposed to be this summer, they missed it 

        - New deadline not set 

- What policies did your city commit to enacting? (If no, ask if any city-owned sites are on the site inventory.)

    -  Which ones are you most excited about?

        - Arcada: Rezone of industrial areas to residential in downtown 

        - Eureka: Surplus lands giveaway 

        - Link

- If rezonings or policies have been introduced, do you know what the timelines and local processes are for passing? What progress has been made?

    - Surplus lands: released all parking lots as of now for development, put out request for proposals 

    - Rezone industrial areas: not sure, under one year

- When are the upcoming public hearings or housing element updates?

    - Tonight there is a planning commission meeting in Arcada

    - Will be one more for the rezone 

        - Will send the information to Lucy afterwards 

Read More
   
/
 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
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