Housing Shortage in Eureka! No jobs for you!

Randy Weaver, a North Coast Labor Market Consultant, did a Humboldt Housing Affordability presentation to the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC) this week and some of the quick observations were pretty interesting. There has been very little growth in Eureka over the last umpteenth years.

The median price for a home in Eureka is $250,000. $317,000 in McKinleyville and ….$459,000 in Redway!

Rental Vacancy rates in Eureka are at 3.4%. Fortuna has 9% available.  

Renters represent 61% of Eureka Housing.

64% of all houses in Eureka were built before 1959! 32% of them were built before 1939!

Only 2% of the houses were built between 2000-2009. From 2010 to present there has been less than 1%.

Only 23% of residents can afford to buy a house. In 2007 it was only 11%!

When businesses are looking to relocate the most important criteria for such moves are:

1.      Low Crime Rate: Not good that Eureka has a crime index rate of 1. Only 1% of all cities are as unsafe as Eureka.

2.     Healthcare Facilities: Cost of Living index rate for healthcare is 119 compared to 100 for the US. Not good.

3.      Education: Only 82% residents of graduated High School. Average student test scores are 24% less than national average. Student to teacher ratio in Eureka is 19:1 compared to 16:1 for the nation.

Just about every living index is greatly higher than the national average. And we have one of the highest Homeless per capita rate in the nation also. These are what businesses take into account when they decide to grow into a community.

What is the solution? Just the messenger here.

Why does Homeless have to be Synonymous with Garbage?

Invariable if you see "House Poor" encampments in Humboldt County such as the one above just north of the slough bridge, there is lots of garbage. I don't plan on being homeless in the near future, but if this ever happened to me I would at least keep things in order. It makes you wonder how these people would live if they were re-housed. Would they then just keep the same habits and blight neighborhoods? I just don't have the answer.

Best Eureka Burger Redux. Mike's slips into first!

In my past posts on best burgers in Eureka, Mike's had always come close but never garnering the #1 burger position. I have been craving their burgers for months now and set them on the pedestal.

5. Surfside Burger Shack (Eureka)- I do think they need to put up a corn fed beef option. Just buy those pre-made up from Costco or something. 

4. AA Bar and Grill-Has the best consistent Burger you will find with old time bar type atmosphere.

3. Cafe Nooner- Great service and great burgers. Buns are a little chewy sometimes.

 

2. 6th and E Cafe- Where else is there a line of people waiting to be seated for burgers at lunch? Go have a burger on Tuesday half price day!  

1. Mike's (Eureka)-Don't talk politics in here and you will do well. Great greasy garlic fries. They made # 1! 

Rail Authority dealing with homeless in Ukiah.

The North Coast Rail Authority (NCRA) met yesterday and found out the flood water receded enough for freight service to ramp up. It was reported that a huge homeless problem is rearing its ugly head in Ukiah on the properties surrounding the old train depot. Seems to be the case all up and down the rail corridor. Hope to hear some solutions soon.

Spring Softball! Oh happy days!

2017 Spring League: The Mad River Softball Association is hosting an adult wood bat Sunday softball league starting April 23rd, at the Arcata Community Sports Complex. Teams play double headers on Sundays April 30th at Pacific Union, May 7th at Pacific Union, either Saturday May 13th or May 14 (Mothers Day) at Arcata Sports Complex, May 21st at Arcata Sports Complex and Championships on June 4th at Arcata Sports Complex. 10 game league season and double elimination playoff so 12 games guaranteed. Games start at Sports Complex start at either 12:30pm, 1:35pm, 2:40pm or 3:45pm. Games at Pacific Union will be either 10am, 11:05am, 12:10pm, 1:15pm, 2:20pm 3:25pm, 4:30pm or 5:35pm.  Price per team is $595. Free agent players without teams will be placed on teams at $50 per player. Players must be at least 16 years or older. League will only be able to accommodate 8 teams. For more information contact (707) 445-3432 or email Samoafog@aol.com.

 

Summer League will start June 12th. Sponsorship is $440 and $50 per player up to 12 players or total cost is $1,040 for 12 person team. Each player over 12th is $25 extra.

  

Blue Lake also has a Sunday league starting in April. For more information on their program call 707-668-5655 If you are interested in putting a team in Blue Lake and Arcata, I can schedule so there are no conflicts. 

 

Warm Up Softball Tournament Memorial  Weekend May 27th & 28th. Guaranteed 4 games $199. Either Wood Bat or Metal Bat determined on interest. 1st place Shirts 2nd place Trophy.