>> COMING UP NEXT ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT", WE INTERVIEW LOCAL COLUMNIST MATTHEW OWEN ABOUT WHETHER THE HIGH COST AND LOW SUPPLY OF LOCAL HOUSING HAS EFFECTIVELY KILLED THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT BROKE GROUND TO DOUBLE THE AVAILABLE STUDENT HOUSING UNITS.

COMING UP NOW ON "HEADLINE HUMBOLDT".

LIVE CC BY ABERDEEN CAPTIONING 800-688-6621 WWW.ABERCAP.COM >> FROM THE TOP OF HUMBOLDT HILL, I'M JAMES FAULK, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AT THIS VERY MOMENT I HAVE TWO YOUNG ADULT CHILDREN WHO ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

THEY ARE EXHAUSTED AND FRUSTRATED BY THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUT FORMS, COMPETING WITH DOZENS F OORR APPLICANTS AND ULTIMATELY SO FAR AT LEAST BEING DENIED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE RENTAL EXPERIENCE OR INCOME NECESSARY TO BEAT OUT THE DOZENS AND DOZENS OF OTHER FORMITTABLE TENANT.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP PLUGGING AWAY UNTIL YOU GET LUCKY.

WHEN YOU ARE AS YOUNG AS THEY ARE, IT SEEMS LIKE THAT DAY WILL NEVER COME.

HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA IS RAPIDLY RISING OUT OF MOST FOLK'S PRICE RANGE.

THERE IS AN ONGOING DEBATE OF THE SKYROCKETING COSTS ARE, IS IT PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS WHO JUMPED IN THE RESIDENTIAL GAME AND EXACERBATED DEMAND.

MATTHEW OWEN FROM THE "TIME STANDARD" WROTE A PIECE WITH HOUSING PLACING SOME OF THE BLAME ON THE STATE AND LOCAL REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS.

HIS ARGUMENT IS ONE WE HAVE ALL HEARD BEFORE, BUT IT COMES UP AS A HUMBOLDT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS CONSIDERING ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT FEES.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IT WAS CONSIDERED A GIVEN THAT MOST OF MY FRIENDS AND I WOULD GROW UP, START FAMILIES AND BUY A HOUSE OF OUR OWN.

IT WAS THE TEMPLATE FOR MOST OF US HAVE LONG CALLED THE AMERICAN DREAM.

THE QUESTION NOW HAS TO BE ASKED, IS THAT DREAM DEAD?

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> WHEN SHOULD DEVELOPERS PAY FOR THEIR IMPACTS THEIR PROJECTS HAVE ON THE PUBLIC?

COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION FOR LARGE, RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS LOCATED OUTSIDE INCORPORATED CITIES.

CURRENTLY STAFF ANALYZES HOW A PROJECT WILL AFFECT, FOR EXAMPLE, ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS AND DEMAND FOR PARKS.

AT THE END OF WHAT COULD ULTIMATELY BE AN MULTIYEAR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW THE COUNTY CHARGES THE DEVELOPER FOR THE PROJECTED INCREASE ON DEMAND OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

ON HER FIRST MAJOR INITIATIVE NATALIE ARROYO PROPOSED THE COUNTY PROACTIVELY ANALYZE GROWTH AND DEMAND ON SERVICES WITHOUT REGARD TO A SPECIFIC PROJECT.

WHEN DEVELOPERS PROPOSE A PROJECT THE COUNTY WILL APPLY A FORMULA TO CHARGE A DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE.

>> WE'RE THE ONLY COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA THAT DOES NOT HAVE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES.

THERE'S GOING BE SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE PENINSULA, FOR EXAMPLE, A PLACE THAT HAS PRETTY LIMITED INFRASTRUCTURE.

BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO CONFER WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE CITIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR APPETITE IS FOR THIS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING BE ON A DIET WHEN IT COMES FOR AN APPETITE FOR THIS.

IT IS EASY FOR US TO SAY PAY A LITTLE MORE, IT WON'T HURT.

THE IDEA OF SELLING A HOUSE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOES OUT THE WINDOW THROUGH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

WE NEED TO TRY TO GET WHAT WE CAN BUILT TO MEET THESE NEEDS OR THE NEEDS ARE NOT GOING BE MET >> THE REAL FEAR IS IT WILL COST MORE MONEY, ESTABLISH A SECONDARY BUREAUCRACY AND ADD MORE STEPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORTS AND ALL OTHER MITIGATION WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN.

>> THAT WOULD ALL BE KNOWN UPFRONT.

THE DEVELOPER COULD CALCULATE THEIR COSTS UPFRONT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF THE EIR TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE FEES ARE.

>> I DON'T ACTUALLY THINK IT IS A GREAT PROCESS FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH YEARS OF PLANNING AND STUDY AND INVEST SIGNIFICANTLY IN A DEVELOPMENT AND AT THE END KNOW WHAT COSTS ARE ADDED.

I DON'T WANT TO ADD ADDITIONAL COSTS, BUT HAVING AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY TO IDS FI THOSE COSTS UPFRONT IS A BOON TO DEVELOPMENT.

>> HOUSING COSTS RIGHT NOW TO BUILD A SINGLE FAMILY HOME HAS REACHED $300 A SQUARE FOOT WITHOUT THE LAND.

WE HAVE SOLAR THAT HAS TO BE PUT IN, WHICH IS PROBABLY $20,000, FIRE SPRINKLERS, THAT IS $10,000.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FEES AND TO ADD ANOTHER $10,000 FEE IS HORRENDOUS TO THIS BUILDING COMMUNITY.

IT IS PROBABLY NOT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> I'VE NEVER HEARD THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SAY, THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO CONSIDER DEVELOPMENT FEES.

IT'S ALWAYS IN CHALLENGING TIMES.

RECREATIONAL DISTRICTS ARE REALLY POPULAR AND HAVE BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

THERE HAVE BEEN FEES AROUND THAT BECAUSE THEY BRING VERY POPULAR INFRASTRUCTURE TO COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS AND IT ACTUALLY IS VALUABLE TO PEOPLE'S PROPERTY VALUES AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> WITH MICHELLE BUSHNELL DISSENTING THE BOARD DIRECTED STAFF TO RESEARCH FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD BE SUPPORTED BY DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES.

EUREKA CITY SCHOOLS REVERSED A PREVIOUS DECISION AND DECIDED NOT TO IMPOSE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES.

JOINING US NOW IN STUDIO IS MATTHEW OWEN, COLUMNIST AT THE "TIMES STANDARD."

HE WROTE A COLUMN ABOUT HOUSING AND THE COSTS THAT ARE RISING.

THANKS FOR COMING IN.

>> THANKS, JAMES.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

MY COLUMN IS CALLED MATTHEW IN THE MID.

I STARTED IN 2012.

I KICKED OVER TO THE TIMES STANDARD PROBABLY ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO AND THEY JUST LET ME WRITE AN OPINION PIECE OF WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING OUT THERE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, SOMETIMES WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON?

>> I WANT TO GET SOME INSPIRATION FOR WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK AND WRITE IT SO PEOPLE CAN READ IT ON SUNDAY.

HOPEFULLY BY FRIDAY SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

>> I HAVE THAT FEELING SOMETIMES, TOO, COME ON, SOMETHING HAPPEN.

YOU HAVE SOME PASSION ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, I KNOW, SINCE WE HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE.

FIRST OFF, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NATALIE'S PROPOSAL IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE STEPS SHE SAID TO POTENTIALLY ASSESS FOR -- >> I THINK IT IS A START WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IMPACT FEES, HOWEVER, I THINK THERE IS A BETTER WAY OF DOING IT.

THE DEVELOPERS AREN'T GOING PAY THE IMPACT FEES.

THEY MAY BE CHARGED $10,000, $20,000 PER HOUSE, I WILL PASS IT ON TO THE HOME BUYER.

IT MAKES HOUSING MORE EXPENSIVE.

CAN YOU NAME A SINGLE HOUSE BEING BUILT IN EUREKA?

ONE SINGLE HOUSE.

>> NOT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

>> I CAN'T SEE A SINGLE HOUSE.

CAN YOU NAME A SINGLE APARTMENT BEING BUILT IN EUREKA?

>> NOT IF IT IS NOT SENIOR HOUSING.

SOME SENIOR HOUSING IS GOING UP.

>> USUALLY THOSE ARE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.

WE HAVE ONE LOW-INCOME PROJECT AT MYRTLE OUTSIDE OF THAT THERE IS ALMOST NOTHING BEING BUILT FOR HOUSING IN EUREKA.

HSU IS EXPANDED TO GROW BY 6,000 STUDENTS, FACULTY, ADMINISTRATORS, STAFF.

THE WIND FARMS ARE ESTIMATED TO BRING AT LEAST 2,000 MORE PEOPLE HERE.

NORDIC FISH FARMS IS TALKING ABOUT 150 PEOPLE HERE.

THAT IS ALMOST 9,000 PEOPLE COMING HERE.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING LIVE?

>> YEAH.

THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

AND WHAT IS THAT GOING DO TO THE MARKET?

YOU HAVE 9,000 MORE NAMES TO THROW IN THE HAT WITH WHAT MY SON IS DEALING WITH NOUT.

>> LIKE YOUR CHILDREN ARE DEALING WITH.

>> THOSE PEOPLE ARE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR LIVES AND HAVE INCOME AND MAKE THEM MORE ATTRACTIVE TENANTS >> MOST PROJECTS TAKE A YEAR TO TWO YEARS.

IF I HAVE A PIECE OF LAND AND I GO TO AN ARCHITECT AND SAY DRAW UP A 20 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX, IF I'M LUCKY IT WILL BE DONE IN A YEAR AND A HALF.

>> OKAY.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU TALKED ABOUT IS THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND ALSO THE LOCAL AREA.

THAT THOSE ENVIRONMENTS FORM A DISADVANTAGE FOR DEVELOPERS IN THIS REGION.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THAT OR ELABORATE ON THAT?

>> ASK ANY DEVELOPER WHAT THEY ARE DEVELOPING IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY?

IT IS PROBABLY COMMERCIAL PROJECTS.

UNLESS DANCO WHO USES TAX CREDITS.

>> IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENTS.

>> IT HAS TO.

NO DEVELOPER IS DOING THAT OTHERWISE.

>> IF THE COUNTY WERE FOCUSING ON THAT END OF THE PROBLEM, SO TO SPEAK, WHAT KIND OF CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TO MAKE IT MORE COPACETIC FOR THEM TO GET PROJECTS DONE?

>> THE OTHER PROBLEM IN MANY CALIFORNIA IS INSULATION IS DOUBLED.

>> INLATION FOR THE WALLS AND CEILINGS.

>> DOUBLES THE COST?

>> DOUBLE THE AMOUNT?

>> THE THICKNESS.

YOU GO TO TEXAS HALF THAT SIZE.

CALIFORNIA REQUIRES ADA REQUIREMENTS OR FIRE SPRINKLERS.

CALIFORNIA IS REQUIRING SOLAR ON ANY NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

ALL OF THESE THINGS DRIVE UP COST.

>> AND MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO BUILD.

>> AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT?

>> THE LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS HAM STRUNG BY SACRAMENTO.

IF YOU GO TO SACRAMENTO AND SAY WE HAVE TO LOOSEN THESE RESTRICTIONS, UH-UH.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, CEQA, WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY STATES IN THE NATION THAT ALLOWS THAT.

>> PEOPLE ARGUE THOSE REGULATIONS LIKE CEQA ARE MEANT TO PROTECT THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND PREVENT IMPACT OF THOSE PROJECTS MAKING OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES WORSE BECAUSE OF THOSE PROJECTS.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOSE REGULATIONS?

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT DEVELOPERS ABIDE BY THE RULES?

>> THEY HAVE TO ABIDE BY THE RULES, BUT HOW MANY RULES DO YOU WANT TO PUT ON THEM?

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

>> YOU MAKE IT HARDER AND MORE EXPENSIVE TO BUILD.

STARTER HOME IS $250,000.

STOP LAUGHING.

THERE ARE NO STARTER HOMES OUT THERE.

I DON'T KNOW OF A SINGLE HOME OR TRACT BEING BUILD IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> I REMEMBER LOOKING AT HOMES FIVE, SEVEN YEARS AGO, $250,000 WAS KIND OF MAYBE A PRICE YOU COULD FIND.

THAT IS TOTALLY BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER.

$400,000 FOR SOMEONE TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOUSE.

WHO HAS THAT KIND OF EQUITY STARTING OUT.

>> OR THE INCOME.

I MET WITH A GENTLEMAN THE OTHER DAY WHO IS TRYING TO SUBDIVIDE LAND IN FORTUNA.

IT HAS TAKEN HIM FIVE YEARS AND $500,000 TO A POINT WHERE HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SELL THE LOTS.

DOES THAT SOUND SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO?

TAKE $500,000 OUT OF YOUR POCKET AND FIVE YEARS OF YOUR LIFE WITH ATTORNEYS AND SPECIALISTS AND OUTSIDE PEOPLE TO WRITE REPORTS.

BUT THAT IS CALIFORNIA.

>> YEAH.

SOME AREAS ARE CONSIDERED MORE FRIENDLY TWO DEVELOPERS LIKE FORTUNA.

THEY HAVE HAD MORE GROWTH.

ARE THEY DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT ATTRACTS SOME OF THAT >> THEY HAVE LAND.

TELL ME AN OPEN SPACE IN EUREKA.

THERE ARE OPEN LOTS BUT SOME HAVE BEEN VACANT 10, 20, 50 YEARS.

I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO THE CITY OF EUREKA TO GO TO WHO OWNS THEM, YOU HAVE A PIECE OF DIRT HERE, LET'S PUT UP A HOUSE, APARTMENT, SOMETHING.

>> SOME PROPERTIES HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE IN THE BUSINESS TO HELP DEVELOPERS TAKE CARE OF THAT WORK?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOW-COST LOANS, YEAH.

THE PERSON WHO OWNS A LOT IN I STREET THAT HAS BEEN VACANT FOR 20, 50 YEARS.

WHAT GOOD IS THAT DOING THE CITY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE WERE LAWSUITS PASSED AGAINST THE COUNTY FOR PRACTICES.

THE COUNTY WAS SUED OVER HOUSING ELEMENT, PORTION OF GENERAL PLAN.

DO YOU THINK IT HAS GOTTEN BETTER HOW IT PLANS FOR FUTURE HOUSING OR ARE WE STRUG SNLG >> ARE WE SEEING ANY ADDITIONAL HOUSING COMING UP?

>> THAT IS THE PROCESS.

>> I UNDERSTAND.

TELL ME WHAT IS BEING BUILT RIGHT NOW.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

>> YEAH.

COOL.

SO YOU WRITE IN YOUR COLUMN PUBLISHED LAST SUNDAY, RIGHT?

>> LAST SUNDAY.

>> 25 YEARS AGO THE LOCAL REGRESSIVES WANTED NO DEVELOPMENT, NO HOUSING, I GOT MINE, I DON'T CARE IF YOU GOT YOURS.

THIS LED US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

IS THAT FAIR OR ISN'T SOME REGULATION REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPERS DO CONSIDER THE PUBLIC IMPACTS.

>> I THINK DEVELOPERS DO THAT.

CURT CRAMER BETWEEN 27 YEARS, HEY, I HAVE AN IDEA -- >> 27 YEARS?

>> 27 YEARS BEFORE HE FILED HIS PERMITS AND SELLS HIS FIRST HOUSE THAT IS FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATIONS OFFICER.

>> 27 YEARS FOR ONE PROJECT.

>> AND IT IS STILL NOT DONE.

>> IF YOU ARE A DEVELOPER AND HEARING STORIES, WOULD YOU WANT TO COME HERE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA WHEN THIS GUY SAYS YOU MIGHT GET IT DONE IN 25 YEARS?

>> YEAH.

>> OTHER PLACES YOU DO IT IN 25 WEEKS.

NOT HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

>> WOW.

>> ONE OTHER STORY.

>> SURE.

>> ONE GUY TALKED ABOUT IN FORTUNA THEY ED HAD HIM DO A CULVERT WHERE HE WANTED THE WATER TO GO.

IF THE WATER WENT DOWN ONE SPOT OF HIS LAND, WHEN IT POOLED THERE, IT NOW BECAME A WETLAND.

NOW IT IS ENVIRONMENTALLY PROTECTED.

THEY HAD A MUD PUDDLE AND THEY CALL IT A WETLAND AND IN CALIFORNIA A WETLAND IS NO GO.

>> USING LANGUAGE LIKE REGRESSIVES, IT MAKES ME THINK -- THERE HAS BEEN AN INDIAN GOING DEBATE IN HUMBOLDT COUNTY OF PROGRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> NO PROGRESS.

REGRESSIVE.

>> WHERE DO WE FIND THAT BALANCE?

PEOPLE LOVE HUMBOLDT COUNTY BECAUSE IT IS HUMBOLDT COUNTY.

THERE IS THE ADJACENT COAST AND MOUNTAINS AND THE TREES AND THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE LACK OF CROWDING, THE LACK OF TRAFFIC.

>> I'M AGREEING WITH YOU.

>> AT WHAT POINT -- I MEAN, HOW DO WE PROTECT THAT, YOU KNOW?

HOW DO WE PROTECT THAT?

>> I THINK WE ARE DOING THAT JUST FINE.

IN EUREKA, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF LAND TO BUILD ON.

IN 2002 OR 2004 WAS MEASURE J TO KEEP WALMART OUT.

WALMART WENT TO THE MALL AND THAT WALMART HAS BEEN THERE 10 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO WHAT DID THEY ACCOMPLISH?

>> SOME WOULD SAY THAT WALMART IS LIMITED TO THE SIZE IT CAN BRING IN >> SURE.

>> THERE LIMITS OLD TOWN AND DOWNTOWN BECAUSE IT WASN'T ABLE TO BUILD A MEGAWALMART.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> RIGHT.

THEY BUILT A WALMART.

>> THEY STILL GOT IT IN.

>> 2010 MEASURE M, GET THE BLOOM TRACK DOWN NOW.

13 YEARS LATER COASTAL COMMISSION HAS HELD IT UP.

COSTLIAL COMMISSION KILLED MORE PROJECTS THAN CANCER.

>> THAT IS A PARTICULARLY ADVERSE SET OF REGULATIONS FOR DEVELOPERS BECAUSE IT IS WITHIN HOW FAR OF THE WATER?

>> ONE OF MY ATTORNEY FRIENDS WAS PLANNING TO DO A TRACT ON HUMBOLDT HILL 10, 15 YEARS.

IT IS IN THE COASTAL COMMISSION.

THEY TOLD HIM IT WILL COST $500,000 AND FIVE YEARS BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING.

HE JUST SAID, BYE, I'M DONE.

I CAN'T DO THIS.

THERE WENT THAT HOUSING PROJECT.

>> ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE THE SHOW STARTED SOME PEOPLE ARE CLAIMING THE MOVEMENT OF PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS BUYING UP PARCELS AND SELLING THEM AT A PROFIT.

AND THAT INTRODUCES MORE COMPETITION TO A FLOODED MARKET.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS HAVING AN EFFECT AND DO YOU THINK IT IS HAPPENING HERE?

>> ONE, IT IS NOT HAPPENING HERE.

TWO, IT IS IN MAJOR URBAN AREAS AND SLOWED DOWN AND THE REVERSE TREND.

F INTEREST RATES HAVE DOUBLED IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

BLACKSTONE WANTS TO BUY $10 MILLION OF HOMES.

THEY BUY 20 HOMES IN THIS AREA OF LOS ANGELES.

THEY PUT UP $5 MILLION IN CASH AND BORROW $5 MILLION LINE OF CREDIT.

A LINE OF CREDIT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WAS 4%.

IT IS 8% OR 9%.

THINGS ARE NOT PENCILING ANYMORE AND PRICES ARE NOT GOING UP, UP, AND UP.

THEY STABILIZE.

FIRMS LIKE BLACKSTONE ARE SELLING OFF INVENTORY.

>> THAT WAS A FUNCTION OF THE MARKET CONDITIONS AND THAT HAS CHANGED SO THAT IS BECOMING LESS OF A PROBLEM.

>> IT'S TRUE.

>> EXCELLENT.

SO DO YOU OWN YOUR OWN HOME?

>> YES.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A HOMEOWNER?

>> SINCE I WAS 22.

>> 22.

WOW.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT IS A SUCCESSFUL STORY.

HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK THAT IS IN TERMS OF, LIKE, HAVING A WELL ROUNDED AND SATISFYING LIFE?

DO YOU FIND IT WAS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT FOR YOU THAT YOUNG?

>> NO.

I JUST WANTED TO LOCK IN A PAYMENT.

>> YEAH.

>> THE MAIN THING OF OWNING VERSUS RENTING, IT IS A PERSONAL CHOICE.

IT IS WHAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.

OWNING YOU BUY-IN AND LOCKING A PAYMENT.

RENT YOU GO UP AND UP.

A LANDLORD CAN DO RENOVATIONS AND EVICT YOU.

THEY COULD SELL THE PROPERTY AND NEW OWNERS SAY BYE.

IT GIVES YOU STABILIZATION.

>> IT IS A WAY TO GET YOUR OWN FINANCES IN ORDER.

>> I DEAL WITH PEOPLE WHO SAY I HAVE CHEAP RENT.

GOOD.

KEEP IT.

IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE RENTING OUT $400 AND LOOK AT BUYING IT IT IS $1800.

>> THE RENTS ARE WAY OUTSIDE OF WHAT A MORTGAGE WOULD BE.

>> PEOPLE PAY $2,000 A MONTH FOR RENT IN RIO DEL.

MY JOB DROPS >> THERE WAS INTERESTING EREAL ESTATE DEMAND.

>> SINCE THEY STARTED SELLING THE TOWN OFF.

THEY SOLD THE CORPORATE TOWN OFF.

>> YEAH.

THE COMPANY TOWN.

LAST QUESTION FOR YOU, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT ARE RELATED AND PART OF THE BROADER ECONOMIC HEALTH PICTURE THAT ARE EXACERBATED BY HIGH COAST AND LOW AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE ISSUES AND HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT IT HAS?

>> I THINK YOU NAILED IT WITH LOW AVAILABILITY OF HOUSES.

WE NEED TO BUILD MORE HOUSES, MORE APARTMENTS, MORE EVERYTHING.

UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT WITH CALIFORNIA IT IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT DONE WITH A COST EFFECTIVE BASES AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF LAND FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS.

WE RUN INTO AG LANDS.

CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION.

WE ARE NOT GOING PUT UP CONDOS ON THE TRINIDAD COAST.

>> YEAH.

>> THERE ARE ISSUES WHERE THIS TOWN IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN SAY MALIBU OR SANTA CRUZ.

>> YEAH.

>> SOME PEOPLE LIKE IT TO BE DIFFERENT AND WANT IT TO BE SLOW GROWTH AND NO HOUSING SO GUESS WHAT IS GOING HAPPEN AS PEOPLE COME HERE?

A LIMITED SUPPLY, DEMAND GROWS, PRICES GO UP FOR RENT AND HOUSING.

>> IN OTHER ISSUES IT HAS TO BE A BALANCE OF CONSIDERING THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING AND SUPPLYING THAT DEMAND BUT ALSO MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF LIFE SO MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO LOVE.

DO YOU THINK SUCH A BALANCE IS POSSIBLE?

>> YEAH.

IF I WAS A CITY OF EUREKA, I WOULD DRIVE AROUND TO THE EMPTY LOTS.

>> INFILL >> INFILL WHAT IS ALREADY HERE IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES.

IT IS NOT IN THE COASTAL COMMISSION.

I HAVE HAD PEOPLE YELL AT ME BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN EMPTY LOT NEXT TO THEIR HOUSE.

THAT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR AN EIGHT-UNIT APARTMENT HOUSE.

THEY DON'T WANT THOSE PEOPLE LIKE YOUR CHILDREN MOVING NEXT TO THEM.

>> THAT IS ALL OUR TIME FOR TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS SHORT BREAK.

>> SPEAKING OF HOUSING, CAL POLY HUMBOLDT OFFICIALS ALONG WITH LEADERS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, THE COMMUNITY AND ASSOCIATED STUDENTS RECENTLY HELD A GROUNDBREAKING EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE LARGEST STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT IN UNIVERSITY HISTORY.

THE EVENT CELEBRATED THE CONSTRUCTION NOW UNDER WAY OF CAL POLY HUMBOLDT'S STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT.

A RESIDENCE HALL COMPLEX THAT WILL ULTIMATELY HOUSE NEARLY 1,000 STUDENTS.

THE SITE IS THE FORMER CRAFTSMAN MALL SITE HALF A MILE NORTH OF THE CAMPUS.

THE UNIVERSITY ANTICIPATES THE COMPLEX WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY IN 2025, INCREASING UNIVERSITY OWNED STUDENT HOUSING OPTIONS BY NEARLY 50%.

THE $200 MILLION PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY ONE-TIME FUNDING OF THE $450 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY'S POLY TECH NICK EFFORT APPROVED BY GAVIN NEWSOM IN 2021.

>> WE ARE CELEBRATING CAL POLY HUMBOLDT, THE COMMUNITY AND THIS REGION.

RIGHT NOW YOU ARE STANDING ON THE GROUNDS OF WHAT WILL BE THE LARGEST STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT AT CAL POLY HUMBOLDT.

IN FACT, THE OPENING OF THIS RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE WILL OPEN IN 2025, WILL MARK THE UNIVERSITY'S FIRST HOUSING PROJECT IN GUESS?

15 YEARS.

YOU READ THE SCRIPT, DIDN'T YOU?

15 YEARS.

UH-HUH.

THIS COMPLEX WILL PROVIDE NEARLY 1,000 STUDENTS A PLACE TO LIVE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, A PLACE TO LEARN.

STUDENTS ARE DRAWN TO CAL POLY HUMBOLDT FOR MANY REASONS, MANY OF YOU WHO ARE ALUMNI IN THE AUDIENCE CAME HERE FOR SOME OF THOSE REASONS.

SUCH AS OUR ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, OUR STUNNING LOCATION AND OUR EMPHASIS ON HANDS-ON LEARNING.

ANOTHER REASON IS OUR STUDENTS WANT TO HAVE A POSITIVE AND SAFE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE WHILE AT HUMBOLDT.

THIS PROJECT HELPS.

AS A RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS, WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A PLACE WHERE STUDENTS CAN THRIVE ALL THE YEARS THAT THEY ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BUILDING A RESIDENCE HALL AWAY FROM HOME MAY BRING THAT SENSE OF BELONGING THAT IS CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ALL STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE TO COME TO CAL POLY HUMBOLDT.

THIS PROJECT UNDERSCORES CAL POLY HUMBOLDT'S EXCITING FUTURE AS A POLY TECHNIC.

STUDENT HOUSING IS THE FIRST PART OF OUR AGENDA.

IT DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO HONOR THE DESIGNATION WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY AS WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE COMMITMENT TO INVEST INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCES FOR OUR POLY TECHNIC TRANSFORMATION.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF MANY NEW HOUSING FACILITIES AND OUR OTHER STRUCTURES BUILT AS THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO GROW IN OUR ENROLLMENT IN THE COMING YEARS.

SO MUCH OF WHAT WE DO AT CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH COLLABORATION ACROSS THE CAMPUS WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS, AND WITH THE COLLEGE OF THE REDWOODS.

LASTLY, THIS IS ALL POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM.

THE PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY 2021-2022 STATE APPROPRIATION, HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENT HOUSING GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AND CSU SYSTEMWIDE REVENUE BONDS.

I CONCLUDE MY REMARKS BY PERSONALLY THANKING SENATOR MIKE MAGUIRE, ASSEMBLY MEMBER JERD WOOD AND JIM HUFFMAN FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORTS OF CAL POLY HUMBOLDT.

THANKS.

>> THIS WEEKEND ART WILL TAKE TO THE SKIES DURING THE SECOND ANNUAL REDWOOD KITE FESTIVAL.

THE EVENT WILL BE HELD MAY 20-21 AT HALVERSON PARK.

THE EVENT IS FREE OF CHARGE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.HUMBOLDTKITERS.ORG.

I WISH I COULD FLY LIKE THAT.

MAYBE I CAN FLAP MY ARMS FAST ENOUGH AND GET OFF THE GROUND.

ANYHOW, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

STAY TUNED.

STAY INFORMED.