Blue Lake Faces Urgent State Housing Demands Amid Compliance Crisis

UPDATE: The Blue Lake City Council is under pressure after state officials proposed a new agreement that demands rapid action on housing planning. This comes amidst over a decade of non-compliance with state housing regulations, highlighting an escalating crisis in the small California city.

During a tense meeting on Tuesday evening, council members wrestled with a proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). City Attorney Ryan Plotz expressed concerns regarding the aggressive deadlines outlined in the MOU, emphasizing that these requirements could impose legal obligations on the city to complete the next housing cycle more quickly than mandated by existing laws.

“It’s a pretty simple MOU, but we have a fundamental disagreement on whether it should obligate the city to meet these tighter deadlines,” Plotz stated. The council had already passed the sixth cycle housing element earlier this year, significantly later than required, following stern warnings from HCD about potential fines.

The state, responding to a widespread housing crisis, has ramped up its enforcement actions against municipalities, and Blue Lake is no exception. The city has been cited for failing to comply with housing element laws for over ten years, with the latest housing need determination indicating the necessity for 5,962 units across Humboldt County.

In light of the proposed MOU, city staff are actively seeking to negotiate less aggressive timelines with HCD, a process that they hope will see resolution by a scheduled council meeting in November. Interim City Manager Jill Duffy noted the unexpected level of aggression from state officials, reflecting a growing frustration with the city’s long-standing non-compliance.

“I was a little surprised at how aggressive they have been, which really spoke to a level of frustration with the city,” Duffy remarked during the meeting. Councilmember Kat Napier added, “This is a matter of 10 years of being out of compliance that has driven us to this point.”

As city officials continue to deliberate on the implications of the MOU, the potential financial burden looms large. Planning for the seventh cycle is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and HCD has yet to commit to funding these efforts.

The situation in Blue Lake is a critical reminder of the broader housing challenges facing many municipalities across California. As the council seeks to navigate these urgent demands, residents and stakeholders are urged to stay informed about developments that could significantly affect housing policy and planning in their community.

Next steps: The city will resume discussions on the proposed MOU in November, aiming to reach a compromise with HCD. Residents are encouraged to follow updates closely as the deadline for compliance approaches.

For further information, contact Sage Alexander at 707-441-0504.