Housing | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia mayor addresses 'The Jungle' encampment transition plan

As a regional transition team moves forward with a phased approach to close “The Jungle” encampment in Olympia, Mayor Dontae ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/7/26 | 10 comments

Representatives of Thomas Architecture Studios present a rendering of the proposed Via Susina mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site in downtown Olympia. The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Casa Mia site eyed for mixed-use development in Olympia

A proposed mixed-use development at the Casa Mia restaurant site could bring up to 56 apartments and commercial ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/6/26 | 6 comments

Quince Street Village is a temporary housing site that helps reduce human suffering and the impacts of unmanaged camping in downtown Olympia.

Funding, lease approved for Quince Street Village in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved two resolutions to continue operations at the Quince Street Village, authorizing a lease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/2/26 | 7 comments

Median home price slides, active listings soar in Thurston County

The regional housing market was a mixed bag last month, as residential and condominium prices went in different directions amid a big ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 6/30/26 | 1 comment

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved 49 services contracts at a special meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Thurston Regional Housing Council renews 49 homeless services contracts after debate for process review

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) approved the renewal of 49 homeless services contracts at a special meeting on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/26/26 | 19 comments

Olympia Building Decarbonization Program Manager Dominic Jones said the city has provisionally selected 10 rental units for its Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency (SHARE) Accelerator program. Jones spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Olympia selects 10 rental units for housing upgrade pilot program

The City of Olympia has provisionally selected 10 affordable rental units for its Safe Housing and Rental Efficiency ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/24/26 | 2 comments

"Renter Ready" workshops are being held by the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County on July 20-21.

Dispute Resolution Center offering free renter training workshops

The Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County is offering free training workshops for renters and prospective renters on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/23/26 | 1 comment

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission is wrapping up work on the addition of 10 new tiny houses in order to broaden its mission to help the homeless. The houses are seen here on June 3, 2026.

Building on a prayer

Camp Mercy is a five-unit tiny house village in a part of Olympia Union Gospel Mission (OUGM), which began its outreach to the homeless in ... more

By JM Simpson | 6/16/26 | 2 comments

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Lansdale Pointe Apartments in Olympia on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new affordable housing community in Olympia

Elected officials, housing developers and advocates gathered on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lansdale Pointe ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 6/11/26 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council members discussed and approved a new park impact fee methodology at a meeting on June 2, 2026. The updated system will scale impact fees based on residential unit size.

Olympia City Council approves new park impact fee methodology

The Olympia City Council approved a new park impact fee methodology that will scale fees based on the size of residential ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/10/26 | 8 comments

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

Olympia committee to discuss tenant purchase policies

The City of Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is going to continue exploring the feasibility of policies that would give tenants the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/9/26 | 6 comments

Olympia extends affordable housing emergency through June 2028

Citing ongoing housing affordability challenges and growing uncertainty around federal funding, the Olympia City Council agreed to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/4/26 | 1 comment

Home, condo median prices rise in Thurston County

The first full month of spring was a busy one for the residential market, as sales and prices climbed amid a big leap in active listings in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/29/26 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a $300,000 Opportunity Fund award to the Housing Authority of Thurston County to acquire a fourplex at 1103 Creekwood Court SE in Olympia. The council made the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2026.

Thurston Regional Housing Council approves $300K in funding for affordable housing

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) approved a $300,000 Opportunity Fund award to help a public agency acquire and preserve existing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/28/26 | 3 comments

Flags sit atop Olympia City Hall on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Olympia committee to review slate of state housing legislation

The City of Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is going to review new state housing legislation, including measures aimed ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/26

Olympia seeks contractors for affordable housing rehabilitation project

As part of its effort to preserve affordable housing, the City of Olympia is seeking qualified contractors to help rehabilitate a ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/26

A map showing the location of the 88th Place development by Tenino Land Company. The 22-acre, 105-lot proposed residential project is on 1318 88th Ave. SW, which is south of Tumwater city limits.

Residents appeal hearing examiner’s decision on residential project south of Tumwater

A group of residents from an area south of Tumwater city limits have filed an appeal against a decision to allow a 22-acre residential project ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/26/26 | 12 comments

An aerial view of "The Jungle" in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia sets deadline for by-name list tied to 'The Jungle' closure

A May 28 deadline for a by-name list of individuals living at "The Jungle" has distressed some people, who feel the timetable is too short for equitable ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/20/26 | 16 comments

FCS principal John Ghilarducci presented a slide outlining the proposed park impact fee methodology at an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Olympia Finance Committee recommends home size formula for impact fees

The Olympia Finance Committee recommended a new impact fee structure that would scale charges based on the livable square footage of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/19/26 | 3 comments

Located in a quiet, sunny spot in Tumwater, THLT's six two-bedroom duplex units will be ready for sale to eligible first-time homeowners early fall 2026.

A land trust for housing

Thurston Housing Land Trust (THLT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and protect affordable homeownership ... more

By Max Lambert | 5/14/26 | 2 comments