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Press release from Life Plan Humboldt:

Life Plan Humboldt (LPH), a not-for-profit organization developing Humboldt County’s first resident-driven 62+ living community for active adults, has officially closed escrow on 14.58 acres in the McKinleyville Town Center. LPH represents one of a very few grassroots, community-driven senior housing projects to be developed in decades across the United States.

In an effort to provide residences for older adults in Humboldt County, this local nonprofit was founded in 2020 to create a lifestyle-focused neighborhood for adults aged 62 and older. Across America, rural and remote communities face a growing challenge: how to provide older adults with vibrant, connected options for aging in place, allowing people to age in the communities they love.

Life Plan Humboldt answers that call — offering a thoughtful, nonprofit model of independent living that’s rooted in community and designed for sustainability.

With the land purchase now complete, LPH moves closer to realizing its vision: a community of approximately 101 cottages and apartments designed to support active aging, complete with walking trails, dining options, group activities, and independent living features.

Board President Ann Lindsay, MD, noted, “We want to thank landowner Anne Pierson for letting us develop the project under an initial ‘Purchase Option Agreement.’ This gave us time to fundraise, develop a site plan and begin the permitting process for this complex project. Gratitude to Anne Pierson for her commitment to and compassion for the people of Humboldt County.”

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

LPH is splitting off a two-acre parcel for the Rural Community Housing Development Corporation (RCH) to begin its own development of up to 50 affordable senior apartments. Residents of the affordable senior housing will have access to the same amenities and activities as the LPH residents. This range of income levels is unique in the senior living communities across the United States, and LPH hopes to be a model for other rural areas.

NAMING CAMPAIGN

Local support for LPH has been phenomenal. To mark the milestone, LPH is inviting the community to help with a campaign to find a name for this special community that reflects the spirit of Humboldt County.

“We got some feedback that ‘Life Plan Humboldt’ was too clinical, so we are looking for a name for the community that will mean more to people,” said Lindsay. “It will be fun to see what people come up with!” Details of the campaign will be in the LPH newsletter. (Subscribe at lifeplanhumboldt.org)

It requires many steps to create a financially feasible, livable community as ambitious as this, according to Lindsay.. Architects will refine plans based on the results of a recent survey sent to 4,000 potential residents county-wide. LPH will open a Welcome Center office in McKinleyville this year and start a “Future Residents Priority List” for people interested in living in the community. Construction could start as early as 2026, with plans for an opening date in 2028.

ABOUT LIFE PLAN HUMBOLDT

Founded by a local grassroots effort, Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) is a not-for-profit organization committed to establishing Humboldt County’s first and only resident-driven senior lifestyle community for adults aged 62+. The community of cottages and apartments will be built on a walkable 14.6-acre site in the McKinleyville Town Center and will feature many walking paths and gardens, communal spaces for dining and activities, an outdoor kitchen and more. A separate nonprofit will develop affordable senior housing on the same campus. Construction could begin as early as 2026, with the community opening as soon as 2028.

For more information lifeplanhumboldt.org.