News Source: Humboldt Commons

MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 19, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Life Plan Humboldt (LPH), the nonprofit organization creating Humboldt County’s first resident-driven senior living community, proudly announces the name of its first community: Humboldt Commons. The name was selected from more than 300 submissions gathered through a community-wide naming campaign that invited the entire Humboldt community to participate.

Photo Caption: Life Plan Humboldt volunteers look out at the McKinleyville location of their new senior community, Humboldt Commons. Photo by JoAnn Schuch.

Hundreds of neighbors, friends, and future residents shared ideas reflecting the North Coast’s core values of local connection, nature, simplicity, sustainability, and community. “Commons” appeared in many of the suggestions, emphasizing mutual support and shared spaces. Ultimately, “Humboldt Commons” was chosen to acknowledge pride of place—symbolizing independence, self-reliance, and a willingness to innovate.

“We heard from many in our community that the name ‘Life Plan Humboldt’ wasn’t a welcoming name,” said Dr. Ann Lindsay, Board President. “Our new name reflects warmth, local identity, and the community spirit of what we’re creating together.”

Founded in 2020 through a grassroots effort, LPH is one of only a few community-led senior living developments in the country. With the purchase of 14.58 acres in the McKinleyville Town Center now complete, plans are advancing for a campus of approximately 101 cottages and apartments, purpose-built to support independence, active lifestyles, and community connection.

Residents will enjoy walking paths, gardens, communal dining areas, and social opportunities, all rooted in a mission of environmental sustainability and aging in place.

Part of the McKinleyville property will be used to include an affordable housing component that will redefine what inclusion can look like in senior living. LPH is working with Rural Community Housing Development Corporation (RCH) to develop a two-acre portion of the site for up to 50 affordable senior apartments. The plan is to have RCH nonprofit build and manage that part of the site, and residents of those homes would have access to the same amenities and activities as all others on campus—an approach rarely seen in traditional senior housing.

“This is about more than housing,” said Lindsay. “It’s about building a village, one that reflects Humboldt’s values of care, community, and resilience.”

With a name that honors both place and purpose, Humboldt Commons will move forward with development in phases. Architects are currently refining site plans based on feedback from a recent survey sent to more than 4,000 potential residents in Humboldt County. A Welcome Center is slated to open in McKinleyville later this year, and a Future Residents List will be launched to help interested individuals track progress and express their interest.

Construction could begin as soon as 2026, with the community expected to open in 2028.

ABOUT HUMBOLDT COMMONS (A community developed by Life Plan Humboldt):

Founded by a local grassroots effort, Humboldt Commons will be the region’s first nonprofit community committed to establishing Humboldt County’s first and only resident-driven senior lifestyle community for adults aged 62+. The community of cottages and apartments will be built on a walkable 14.6-acre site in the McKinleyville Town Center and will feature many walking paths and gardens, communal spaces for dining and activities, an outdoor area for food, music, and events, and more. A separate nonprofit will develop affordable senior residences on the same campus. Construction could begin as early as 2026, with the community opening as soon as 2028.

To learn more, visit: https://www.lifeplanhumboldt.org/

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Humboldt Commons), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire.

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/life-plan-humboldt-unveils-humboldt-commons-a-national-model-for-community-based-aging/

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