Construction Complete for Yurok and Humboldt County Homekey Project

The City of Eureka recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Ke-mey-ek’ Place, an 18-home facility for people experiencing homelessness. Aptly named “I am home” in the Yurok language, Ke-mey-ek’ was built as a collaboration between Arcata Housing Partnership and the Yurok Indian Housing Authority (YIHA). 

Ke-mey-ek’ Place is Humboldt County’s first ever Homekey project, receiving $1.8 million in HCD funding through Homekey and another $900,000 through HCD’s Community Development Block Grant program. 

Ke-mey-ek’ Place has 14 homes reserved for Eureka’s homeless and four reserved for Yurok tribal members. While many of the 18 homes have been occupied since 2022, final construction of the last two homes was completed in late fall of 2024, prompting the event which brought together housing partners and local leaders. At the time of the ribbon-cutting event, all homes were occupied. 

The completed project includes a community room, laundry facilities, and on-site supportive services. According to a social media post by Nicole Sager, Executive Director of the Yurok Indian Housing Authority, Ke-Mey-Ek’ Place is “housing AND a pathway forward. The project is a great example of what is possible when you believe housing for everyone is possible.”