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HCOG hears public concerns over 50/50 RHNA allocation after HCD flags fair-housing metric
Summary
Humboldt County Association of Governments staff reviewed the cycle-7 RHNA package (HCD allocated 5,962 units). HCOG explained a staff-recommended 50/50 population/jobs split; HCD has signaled concern that the method lacks a direct metric to advance AFFH (fair housing) goals. Board directed staff to develop alternatives and return in December.
Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCOG) staff opened a public hearing Nov. 20 to review a proposed method for allocating 5,962 new housing units that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) assigned to the region.
HCOG staff said the board's preferred alternative, identified Sept. 18, is a 50/50 split that allocates half of the RHNA units by each jurisdiction's share of regional population and half by share of regional jobs, with a 20% adjustment factor intended to diversify housing types across jurisdictions. "HCD has allocated 5,962 new housing units to the Humboldt County region," staff said while walking the board through the proposed tables and adjustments.
Why it matters: HCD has provided informal comments noting that the current allocation does not include a direct metric for the RHNA objective on affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH). HCD recommended consideration of a housing opportunity score as one possible metric. Staff told the board that HCD's concerns are actionable and that they could take exception to the plan, which could delay adoption by two to three months.
Public testimony emphasized concerns over sprawl and the need to promote infill. "We think that it would be counterproductive to both sustainability and equity goals to put a lot of housing in high VMT, car-dependent areas," Colin Fisk of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) told the board, urging more weighting toward job-centered, infill locations. Public-health commentator Wendy Ring said sprawl worsens traffic injuries, reduces access to health care and healthy food, and increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Board direction: After questions and discussion about the opportunity score and other ways to meet AFFH objectives, the board did not adopt a change on the spot. Instead staff were directed to develop and return with concrete alternatives and numeric scenarios at the December meeting so the board can consider adoption before submitting the plan formally. Staff reminded the board that HCD typically begins formal review after the board adopts a methodology and that HCD has a 60-day review window.
Next steps: Staff will refine options that could blend a limited opportunity-score adjustment with the 50/50 base, present weighting scenarios and projected allocations at the Dec. 18 meeting, and work with HCD in the interim to reduce the risk of formal exceptions.
