More about Olympia's affordable housing initiatives

Olympia is focusing on low-barrier housing development to address the affordable housing crisis and homelessness crisis, the city’s Housing Programs manager Darian Lightfoot said at the Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on August 12.

Lightfoot said they are looking at the options to further support housing development in the city:

• Reviewing code for multi-family development
• Land Trust investments
• Cottage and townhouse development improvement
• Communal and coop living
• Vacant lot and building survey for potential land banking
• Housing Development Partnership research

"For code review for multi-family development, [we want] to identify where are the roadblocks, and the snags," she said, adding that they would also want a study on cottage, townhouse and communal living options and if it is something that is supported by municipal codes.

Housing Programs would like to identify potential partners who could support housing development.

"All that I hear on how to address affordable housing and homelessness is to do a little of a lot of things. There isn't a silver bullet. We can't just focus on development or focus on homelessness response. We have to do everything," Lightfoot said.

Lightfoot said she requested a budget for the Phase 2 study. "All of this research is contingent upon council approval and budget."

Meanwhile, Lightfoot updated the committee members on Olympia's housing programs, including permanent supportive housing:

• Unity Commons – construction will begin this fall
• Providence - to submit Home Fund application this winter to create 75 units of permanent supportive housing and onsite respite
• The Landing Family Support Center – 62 units and expected to have full occupancy in 2023
• Family Support Center Phase 2 – still five years out, with 62 units and 200 people served
• Franklin/Olympia Avenue - Lightfoot said she is currently in communication with an affordable housing developer to potentially develop what is currently the downtown Mitigation Site that serves homeless individuals.
• Quince Street – three years of tiny home operation, then conversion to permanent supportive housing
• Franz-Anderson – continuing to reach out to developers to propose a phased development for the 6.2 acres lot.
• Boulevard – with Habitat of Humanity
• Capital Area Triangle plan – the city owns four parcels in the area and could use that land to leverage permanent supportive housing
• The jungle – the city owns parcels and could potentially purchase more for eventual housing development
• Salvation Army – expressed its willingness to develop its site into permanent supportive housing for seniors

Temporary housing:

• Plum Street Village – currently has 40 tiny homes
• Valeo Vocations – subcontractor with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development, which connects people to job opportunities
• Quince Street Village – which could house 100 residents
• Franz-Anderson – has 50 tiny homes in the work plan
• Nickerson - potential location to create another tiny home village
• ROW (right-of-way) Hotel – to operate as an enhanced shelter, rehabilitate 120 units into permanent housing
• Hope Village – tiny home shelter site