News Flash

The Wiyot Tribe’s Dishgamu Community Land Trust is Developing the Jaroujiji Youth Housing project in Eureka, California that will be home to 39 youth ages 16-24.  The Project includes the conversion of an office building and two single-family Victorian homes into 39 units serving youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as well as youth needing to be rapidly rehoused.  Our project partners are all local businesses.  Uxo Architects, based out of Arcata, is a women owned cooperative small business has provided architectural services, community engagement and construction management services for the project.     Curb Appeal Construction, the project’s General Contractor is a local Veteran owned small business who is currently facilitating the demolition, asbestos abatement, and lead abatement on the scattered site project.  They will be completing the remodel once that work is finalized.  Whitchurch Engineering, a small local business based in Fortuna, provided Civil Engineering, surveying, and building design services for the project. 

The Wiyot Tribe has decades of experience working with young people who have struggled to find safe and affordable housing in Humboldt County. This challenge is especially acute for Tribal youth and youth involved with the foster system. These populations are often left out of statewide housing data and policy priorities.  By providing safe housing, food, community connection, and comprehensive services, the Jaroujiji Youth Housing Project is focused on addressing a critical housing and services gap in our rural community.

The Jaroujiji Youth Housing Project will have a Tribal preference while remaining open to all youth living in Humboldt County. The project includes enhanced accessibility features as well as spaces dedicated to cultural expression.  Dishgamu means love in Soulatluk.   Our work is rooted in care for all people, beings, and land. 

“I’ve always had to have my own back…Part of my sensitivity to authority doesn’t just come from authorities abusing me, it comes from them neglecting me… So, it’s really hard to live with other people who actually care. That’s why providing housing for marginalized youth and a landing pad for that transition is really important.”  – Humboldt County young person providing feedback as part of the Tribe’s community engagement process

Through projects like Jaroujiji’ Youth Housing Project, we invest in and rehabilitate unloved and forgotten places.   The commercial building at 1711 3^rd Street had been empty for years.  Once a vibrant office space it lost its purpose, no longer useful to the community in its current state.  The Victorian next door had been empty for even longer.  We will be rehabilitating both the buildings and the Sarah Carson house to serve as safe and supportive housing for vulnerable young people in our community putting life back into these buildings.  

“The youth I work with have these wonderful ideas and all these amazing plans.

But without basic needs being met, it’s really a challenge. Especially for the native

and foster youth I serve. It’s such a challenge for them to do anything but focus on

survival. I’d really like to see them not just surviving but thriving. A project

like this is really gonna help us get there.”

– Humboldt County service provider giving feedback as part of our community engagement process.