A new tax-exempt nonprofit has been formed to plan, build, and support a mixed-income Life Plan Community in Humboldt County, California.

We aim to create a resident-led, aging-in-place community in Humboldt providing secure, accessible homes and environmentally responsible setting that supports independence, socialization, personal growth, community involvement, and intellectual stimulation. Life Plan Humboldt will keep people close to their friends and families and provides a continuum of services to address changing needs over time.

We want local control and a place that reflects North Coast culture and values, and that includes a mix of income levels that reflects Humboldt County’s population.

The Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) board, led by Ann Lindsay M.D., is comprised of local community leaders with deep commitments to the North Coast and experience implementing complex projects.

LPH is looking at 15+ acre sites in McKinleyville and Arcata to create a campus-like residential setting. We want to combine private residences with common social areas and open space, including areas to enjoy nature and to farm. We hope to begin preliminary design and due diligence of a preferred site in 2021 Ground-breaking could be from one to five years away.

The LPH board is learning from other Life Plan Communities and working with experienced advisors who have created mixed-income communities around the United States for help setting up the financial structure, operations, and design of our community.

To keep start-up expenses down, and residents’ fees more affordable, we will start with a smaller number of Independent Living Residences, Assisted Living, Memory Care/Advanced Nursing places, and plan on expanding the number of units in the future.

Life Plan fee structures vary, but people join these communities by paying an entry fee along with monthly payments. When two people share a space, there is a fractional increase in the entry and monthly fees.

Entry fees and monthly payments are based on the size of the residence and any additional services a resident might require. In order to accommodate various income levels there will be a mix of apartments, townhomes, and cottages and multiple entry options such an “alá carte” menu of services.

You can find general information about Life Plan costs and benefits in the “Complete Guide to the Costs of Senior Living” on the LPH website, www.lifeplanhumboldt.org.

Often as people get older the money needed for care is tied up in their homes. This means that people often stay in their homes until a crisis point occurs. While we love our homes many older residents would like to downsize, to be closer to town and not as isolated, but currently there is a shortage of housing for seniors.

With 25% of the local population 60 or older, and with the 70+ population growing until 2050, the need for senior-friendly residences is recognized by the Humboldt County Housing Plan, which states, “The change in housing needs to accommodate the growing population of elders may be the number one housing challenge facing the County in coming years.”

Life Plan Humboldt will provide seniors secure, accessible, homes with support as they age, open up housing stock, provide local jobs at all levels, and keep valued and loved people close to their friends and families.

Life Plan Communities across the United States offer independent private residences, shared dining and activities, healthcare management, assisted living, and memory support, all in the one location.

An LPH resident will not have to move if they, or their partners, need increased care.

Many people move into Life Plan Communities when they are younger seniors, for the support and social connections. These are vital, active places that allow people to “age in community”.

Currently this option does not exist in Humboldt County.

People must move to Medford, Santa Rosa or farther away to find Life Plan communities, leaving behind family and friends and long ties to the community.

Life Plan Humboldt will be a resident-led senior community reflecting Humboldt County values and history, that provides a continuum of services in a safe, secure and environmentally responsible setting.

We want to support independence, socialization, personal growth, community involvement, and intellectual stimulation for ourselves and our neighbors.