How We Work

Housing, Support, and Accountability at Arcata House Partnership 

At Arcata House Partnership (AHP), we believe every person facing homelessness and food insecurity deserves dignity, hope, and most importantly, respect. Since 1991, our nonprofit has been dedicated to providing people in Humboldt County with the essentials they need to regain stability. We want our neighbors and supporters to understand not only how we do our work, but why we do it the way we do. 

Reasonable Accommodations

We know the people we serve come with their own stories and hardships, which is why we strive to meet them exactly where they are. As both a landlord and service provider, we do our best to accommodate people with different needs, working alongside them to offer support and encouragement.

Many of the people we serve live with disabilities, health conditions, or the effects of trauma. Fair housing laws require reasonable accommodations, which are changes to a rule or practice that give someone equal access to housing. We follow fair housing laws by treating every applicant and tenant equally, reviewing accommodation requests individually, protecting each person’s privacy, and training our staff on fair housing rights.

At AHP, it’s about giving every person a real chance to not only have a home but to succeed within its walls. We recognize that not every request can be granted. And accommodations don’t remove the responsibilities that come with being a tenant, but we approach each request with care, respect, and a commitment to helping people.

Tenant Support

Support is especially important for participants who are being housed for the first time after an extended period of homelessness. Our staff work tirelessly to help people re-learn how to be housed and build relationships with their neighbors and community.

We also collaborate with partner agencies to connect clients with the community resources they need, creating a pathway to stability. Partnerships with agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Yurok Indian Housing Authority allow us to create affordable housing options, such as Ke-Mey-Ek’ Place and The Grove.

Privacy & Safety

Part of recognizing the dignity in others is respecting their privacy and keeping them safe. At AHP, we never confirm or deny whether someone is working with us, and we follow domestic violence and HIPAA best practices so every person in our care feels protected. We know this can be frustrating when community members have questions, but it’s essential to keeping people safe.

If you have a concern about a property or neighbor, we encourage you to reach out to us. Our staff will follow up, even if we can’t share details. In an emergency, always call 911.

Accountability & Eviction Practices

Eviction is never our goal, and it’s always a last resort. However, certain tenant actions can put housing at risk, including not paying rent (set at 30 percent of a tenant’s income), misconduct, or illegal activity. These can lead to eviction or removal from our programs. Our staff works hard to provide the support tenants need to stay housed, but accountability is an important part of every program we offer.

Building a Stronger Community Together

As the only organization in the county offering a full range of support, we’re working to change how people view homelessness. With compassion and respect, we connect each person to the resources they need, supporting them on their path to a brighter future. Together, we can build a Humboldt County where everyone has the chance to find stability and a place to call home.

If you have questions or would like to get involved or provide support to AHP, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to admin@arctahouse.org