The City of Eureka is pursuing the purchase of a vacant 0.46-acre lot at Second and A streets in Old Town to advance its emergency shelter options for people experiencing homelessness. The plan includes building a shelter with up to 40 units using prefabricated sleeping modules designed to provide safe, individual accommodations.
This initiative depends on the Eureka Planning Commission’s approval of the land acquisition, which will enable the city to develop a facility equipped with essential amenities such as bathrooms, laundry, and meal preparation spaces. The shelter will also offer supportive services to address housing insecurity more comprehensively.
The modular units under consideration come from Portland-based LIT Homes, featuring a design where each "sleeping module" contains two single-occupant units. This approach aims to streamline construction and provide privacy within a managed shelter environment.
For several years, the city had its sights set on this site, initially planned for a cannabis manufacturing facility that never materialized. The lot's current owner agreed to sell it to Eureka, but the city faced challenges securing grant funding for the purchase. The Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation stepped in, acquiring the property for $300,000 and granting the city the right of first refusal to buy it later.
Eureka’s acquisition costs are expected to include the price paid by the foundation plus approximately $70,000 in accrued expenses. While the city continues to seek grants and donor support to cover the purchase, efforts remain ongoing to finalize the necessary funds.
City staff have issued a consistency determination confirming that acquiring the lot aligns with Eureka’s 2040 General Plan and homelessness response policies. The property is appropriately zoned for emergency shelter use, reinforcing the city's mission to end homelessness by expanding managed shelter capacity paired with supportive services.