WHAT IS POVERTY IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY?

In Humboldt County, 19.8% of people are living below the poverty level, compared to the California state average of 13.3%. (Humboldt County, US Census Bureau 2008)  In 2005, 16 percent of people in Humboldt County were in poverty. Sixteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 5 percent of people 65 years old and over. Nine percent of all families and 27 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level. (American Community Survey 2005)

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY?

In March 2008 to March 2009, the number of people who were unemployed in Humboldt County increased by 72.1%, from 4,300 people to 7,400 people. The unemployment rate jumped from 7.0% to 12.0% in the same period. Loss of employment is creating economic hardship for many individuals and families in our community.

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

RCAA's housing and Financial Counseling Division assists homeowners and renters with forclosure and eviction prevention. The division couselor also provides information and referrals, allowing individuals to better manage their money, apply for eligible benefits and prevent loss of housing.

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS?

Humboldt County has a temperate climate year round which supports the physical possibility of living out of doors or in a vehicle for an extended period of time. A one- day snapshot of homeless individuals, conducted on Jan. 23, 2007 demonstrated the following: population at over 432 adults per day and an additional 210 children, with numbers higher in the summer due to migration. Data further indicated that 61% of adults were males and 39% were females. About 26% of males were veterans and 40% of adults were camping or using their car. Only 9% of the adults reported experiencing homelessness for less than 2 months while 12% have been homeless over 10 years. Issues and problems related to the homeless population and how the address them, are still publicly debated concerns.

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

RCAA has worked closely with community partners to develop demographic information, and assess the service needs of the homeless population in Humboldt County. As part of the Continuum of Care RCAA worked with County and City of Eureka elected officials and staff to develop the funding and operations plans for the Multiple Assistance Center in Eureka to house 81 people- homeless families and singles. Through a series of grants, contracts and loans over 5 million dollars was secured to purchase the site, renovate the structures, and provide partial operational support. RCAA now operates the facility, which opened in early 2005. RCAA will continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure this facility remains open in spite of reduced funding for ongoing operations. In addition, RCAA will continue to provide transitional housing for 30 families and 8 youth per year. These RCAA Transitional Housing programs offer a broad range of case management services to the individuals and
families housed. RCAA’s Emergency Shelter specifically targets youth and serves as a safety net for this population.

The RCAA Raven project provides street outreach services and a drop-in center for homeless and/or runaway youth. RCAA will also continue to provide assistance to homeless individuals and families through the agency’s drop-in information and referral center. This service provides information about RCAA and other programs serving the poor, explains program requirements and client responsibilities, provides transportation and motel vouchers as well as clothing. RCAA continues to be a lead partner in the County Continuum of Care (Humboldt Homeless and Home Coalition).

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT HOUSING CONDITIONS?

Humboldt County’s 20,909 (2000 Census) low-income households have limited access to decent, affordable housing. This is particularly true for those with very low incomes. According to American Community Survey data (2005) Humboldt County has the highest percentage of California renters spending more than 30% of income for housing costs (58%). Additionally, many young people in Humboldt County are not able to find or afford any rental within the County due to high demand and a reluctance of landlords to rent to younger individuals. At the other end of the age spectrum, Humboldt County is experiencing more elderly people living on a fixed income getting pushed out of rentals due to an increase in rent. There is no rent control program in the area and a lack of resources for tenant rights. This problem impacts not only traditional renters but many of the over 8% of families living in mobile homes which they may even own yet are charged “rent” by a mobile home park. Another major housing problem for many elderly and low-income homeowners is the maintenance of their home. Homeowners in Humboldt County are often “house rich and cash poor”. Those who rely on Social Security or other limited fixed incomes are unable to finance periodic major repairs, such as roof replacement, rewiring, or foundation work. In addition many elderly people are too frail to complete the work themselves. This problem continues to grow as our population ages and/or household income declines.

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

RCAA is very active in advocating for affordable housing within the County and assisting other organizations in the development of this housing. Staff play lead roles in a local coalition (Housing for All) formed to assist in ensuring the updated County General Plan includes elements which will promote the development of more affordable housing. RCAA’s Property Management Division will continue to manage 72 low-income rental units in three communities within Humboldt County. RCAA works closely with the local Housing Authority and other property owners in making referrals and distributing application packets. Many clients that are successful in the RCAA transitional housing programs apply and attain more permanent housing through RCAA Property Management. RCAA’s Housing Rehabilitation Division assists low-income homeowners through the entire process of applying for funding and completing needed home repairs. County staff and staff from other incorporated cities partner with RCAA to offer this program. In addition, weatherization and lead abatement services provided by RCAA Energy Services Division are a continuing need among the low income and elderly population. Staff assist these clients through the process of accessing these services and in applying for other savings programs. Each of these programs have grown to accommodate the community need.

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT OUR FOOD SOURCES?

Humboldt County is tied with neighboring Del Norte County as the leading county in California for high rates of hunger. Many of our county’s residents face food insecurity (not knowing where theirnext meal will come from) with, understandably, little thought of whether their next meal will be nutritious or not. Humboldt County experiences higher rates of obesity and anemia than the State average.

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

RCAA has taken a leadership role in Humboldt County to coordinate local efforts to start new community gardens.

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT OUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT?

The Humboldt community has relied on the use of its extensive natural resources for 150 years to provide its income base. Forest products and fishing industries have long been the basis of the local economy. Unfortunately, a consequence of over-cutting and under-planting of trees during the last 150 years has resulted in a degraded and less productive natural environment. Over-cut timber land is prone to landslides which silts rivers, destroys spawning beds for fish, and threatens water quality.There is an ever-increasing need to restore or mitigate the effects of environmental neglect. While the private sector has significantly improved its care of private lands, governmental and nonprofit sectors must address the restoration of public timberlands, watersheds, rivers, and plant and wildlife habitat. Humboldt County’s abundance of recreational opportunities, mostly in rural publicly owned lands, diminishes the perceived need for urban trails. Unfortunately, the lack of safe, walk-able alternatives for recreation, work, or school impacts the poor in our community who often have limited or no access to transportation.

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

RCAA’s Natural Resources Division will continue to implement a broad range of environmental preservation, restoration, and education projects intended to sustain the economic value of the county’s resource base and provide jobs, promote sustainable and economical transportation alternatives, and encourage development for active, healthy living. Staff work collaboratively with many other organizations, landholders, and government to advocate and develop solutions which effect the entire community but often especially impact low-income residents.

CHILDREN ARE IN NEED

HumboldtCounty’s dental crisis became well documented after The Humboldt County Children’s Oral Health Report was released in July 2001. Sponsored by the Humboldt Area Foundation, the report revealed that 91% of students from one randomly selected elementary school required dental treatment after being examined. Of these students, 85% had untreated cavities, with an average of almost five teeth affected per child. The report identified that only four pediatric dentists practice in the county, none of whom accept MediCal. The only options for low-income families with MediCal are three community clinics that have a waiting period of four months. Additionally, only five out of 48 communities have access to fluoridated drinking water. The report also revealed that access to treatment is poor for all low-income children due to 1) isolation, 2) lack of transportation, 3) lack of oral health education and awareness, 4) lack of oral health supplies, 5) lack of preventive services, and 6) economic hardship.           

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

Teaching Oral Optimism throughout Humboldt (TOOTH) is an oral health program of the Redwood Community Action Agency, directed at providing education and preventive services to preschool, first, third and fifth grade students and their families. With funding from First 5 Humboldt, Circle of Smiles –The California Endowment, Humboldt Area Foundation, McLean Foundation, St. Joseph Hospital, The Smullin Foundation, and the Union Labor Health Foundation, TOOTH has proven itself to be an effective oral health prevention strategy addressing the oral health crisis that is well documented in our county.  Annual evaluation findings over the years validate the effectiveness of the program showing that children who participate increase their tooth brushing time and have lower levels of plaque on their teeth. 

Assisting Families Access Change through Resources (AFACTR) helps to strengthen the connection of our community members to services and assistance. AFACTR is made up of 10 AmeriCorps Members who serve within participating Family Resource Centers and Child Welfare Services to help support families in Humboldt County.  Members provide families with local resources and recruit foster families in hopes of reducing each family isolation, thereby creating healthy families and improving outcomes for children who come into contact with Child Welfare Services.

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT COMMUNITY AND WATERSHED HEALTH?

Because natural and human communities of the North Coast are inextricably linked, and the sustainability of both is inter-dependent, Natural Resources Services (NRS) strives to protect and restore community and watershed health. 

HOW WE ARE HELPING:

For NRS, watershed planning, assessment, and implementation means working with all interested stakeholders in the watersheds of California's north coast region to find common solutions to water quality and salmonid habitat problems while balancing socioeconomic needs and environmental quality.

NRS uses the best science and practices available including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), surveying, and water quality monitoring; along with the coordination of resource interests, regulators, and community members. Watershed planning, assessment, and implementation efforts at NRS are collaborative, involving as many stakeholders as possible, and solution oriented.