Darlene Spoor, executive director of Arcata House Partnership, told the NorCann forum that abrupt funding delays and policy uncertainty are straining local housing programs and could push more people into homelessness in Humboldt County.

"Together, we provide over $11,000,000 annually in rental support that our landlords get and our economy benefits from," Spoor said. She warned that if those supports are cut or delayed, "thousands of people could be at risk of losing their housing here in Humboldt County," and she cited a small-sample estimate that without Arcata House and the housing authority "1,268 people would have less housing security."

Spoor tied housing stability to broader community health and the local economy, saying layoffs and reduced housing assistance can increase pressure on shelters, hospitals and emergency services and reduce the local labor supply. She described homelessness prevention, coordinated regional response and sustained funding as central to any strategy to avoid deeper service erosion.

The Arcata House remarks were part of a larger panel that linked sector-wide survey findings to on-the-ground impacts. Forum presenters and organizers urged attendees to read NorCann's full report and to press regional and federal representatives for policy fixes and stable reimbursements.

What happens next: Arcata House and other providers plan to continue coordinating with county partners and NorCann's leadership group. Spoor and others encouraged local philanthropy and landlord cooperation as temporary mitigations while advocacy continues.