February 6, 2024 —The Innovation, Growth and Impact (IGI) team has been exploring if supporting a new Life Plan Community in Northern California, currently in the planning stages, would be a good fit for the Kendal System. The idea for that community is intriguing due to the dedication, dream, and expertise of a group of community members with a vision to provide a vibrant senior living experience for older adults in Humboldt County. Providing preliminary assistance and support for compelling new initiatives is what the IGI team contributes before any formal relationship will or will not be established. It is up to the Kendal board to evaluate if an affiliation is the proper next step.
What the Kendal Board Is Considering
Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) is a locally driven effort to plan and build the first not-for-profit, mixed-income Life Plan Community in Humboldt County on the far northern coast of California. The development is led by a dedicated Board of Directors who have already raised substantial individual contributions, grants, and government funding for the cause. LPH is now working with the Kendal team to provide the Kendal board of directors with additional information to evaluate the possibility of the two organizations becoming official partners after investing initial time together researching and reviewing the opportunities and potential risks.
LPH plans to create a unique community that includes all types of senior living. The plans include 144 apartments and cottages on 14+ acres in McKinleyville, close to an active small downtown area. The Community will reflect North Coast culture and values, and the area has a very low fire risk assessment.
Humboldt has uncrowded natural beauty, open beaches, clean rivers and hiking trails in the redwood forests. The cool 60-degree average temperatures attract retirees from all over California. There are active food, music and art scenes, and the region has many annual events that bring visitors to the North Coast.
A separate nonprofit will develop 30 to 60 affordable senior homes on the same property. Residents will all share the same common social areas and activities. They are looking to the future and considering the accessibility of senior living for everyone in the community.
An Impressive Team of Movers and Shakers
The LPH Board of Directors is an impressive team, demonstrating a passion for the project reminiscent of other Kendal communities. The locally driven initiative has been successful due to the board’s persistence, and the collaboration that has already been established ensures that the community will be well-equipped to meet the needs of all older adults who seek to maintain their independence and continue to live in the community.
The Life Plan Humboldt board of directors, chaired by Ann Lindsay MD, is comprised of local community leaders with deep commitments to the North Coast and various experiences that bring creativity and motivation to their dream to build a resident-led, aging-in-place community that supports independence, socialization, intellectual stimulation, and community involvement.
Ann shares, “Living in beautiful Humboldt County close to family and friends is what many of us want, but as we age, a less isolated, maintenance-free lifestyle, with help available, would be welcome. The hope is that we will have an all-inclusive life plan community in Humboldt County, California. 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 to help set up the financial structures, operations, and design of our community. I have been impressed with Kendal ever since I first visited a Kendal community in the 70s. I was impressed that it resembled a college campus for elders, fun and stimulating. Once you move to a life plan community, you can “age in place” surrounded by friends, activities and supportive services. Since there is no life plan community within 200 miles of Humboldt County, I got busy working on a local offering, Life Plan Humboldt, so I can stay in Humboldt for the rest of my life and thrive.”
Mission Expansion and Alignment Considerations
There is an evident alignment of values and goals between Kendal and LPH, and valued personal and professional relationships are emerging. With intergenerational and affordable components, the project is consistent with the criteria in the new Affiliation Agreement. This affiliation would expand Kendal’s presence in California while offering a more affordable Kendal lifestyle to older adults in a new market.
Frank Mandy, Kendal’s VP of Development and Planning, has provided guidance and expertise as he meets with the LPH board of directors, presents about Kendal and Life Plan Community structure to potential future residents, meets with city and other officials, assists in architect selection and business plan development, and connects the group with important other partners.
Kendal discussions with the Board at LPH highlighted the value of the Kendal brand and the benefits of being a member of the Kendal system. While prepared to be independent, they also understand that the community will benefit significantly from an association with the Kendal System and the expertise of The Kendal Corporation team.
Steve Bailey, Kendal’s Chief Strategy Officer, expresses his enthusiasm for how closely the new potential community’s values align with Kendal and how much he respects the visionaries behind the idea, “It is impressive how a dedicated group of community leaders have been able to educate an entire county about the value of the Life Plan Community model and how their vision has developed into a project plan that is very much in alignment with Kendal.
Current Status
Research and surveys show a solid market potential. Kendal and Greenbrier’s (the same project partner for Enso Village and Enso Verde) due diligence work demonstrates a viable project. Business plans have indicated good depth of the market (homes of high value) and lack of competition (no other Life Plan Community (CCRC) or other competition in the area). Additional planning work, market research, and due diligence are being undertaken.
The LPH community hopes to open its doors in 2027, and already, there is a solid interest shown by the community, with more than 450 members who have made financial donations to support the development and 1300 eagerly waiting for updates. The community wants to collaborate with local healthcare organizations, including the nearby CalPoly in Arcata, on intergenerational programming and health and wellness initiatives to ensure that all residents lead a healthy and engaging lifestyle.
In an important step, Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) recently interviewed several architectural firms and reached a favorable agreement with Perkins-Eastman, a company with extensive experience in senior living communities. Deciding factors included a portfolio of beautifully designed life plan communities, willingness to work within our budget, the firm’s California experience, and their innovative approach to memory care.
While there are many factors to consider before Pre-Affiliation is established, Kendal has been happy to help LPH’s locally driven effort evaluate opportunities.
