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

Olympia City Council to review state rent control laws, local tenant protections

The Olympia City Council will review House Bill 1217 at a study session on Tuesday evening, July 29, at which time the group is expected to discuss how to align the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/29/25 | 2 comments

A small community of seven to 10 sailboats with “anchor outs” are located on West Bay.

'Anchor outs' in West Bay

There is a small community of individuals who live in old sailboats just offshore in West Bay on the south end of Budd Inlet. Some of them will tell you they are ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/28/25 | 13 comments

Proposed changes introduced to Olympia's Comprehensive Plan

Residents in Olympia urged reconsideration of late-stage revisions to the Land Use and Urban Design chapter of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan, warning proposed density increases and commercial allowances … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/24/25 | 10 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a $25.3 million state agreement for homeless services and a separate $14.7 million housing contract with 17 nonprofits at  a meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Thurston County commits to housing contracts

Amid ongoing friction over Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) grant shelter exclusions, Thurston County leaders authorized separate housing contracts ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/22/25 | 6 comments

Community members tour the soon-to-open Homes First house in Tumwater, which will offer housing to low-income individuals in recovery. The house needs floors, doors and trim, and will be move-in ready at the end of July.

Homes First remodels house in Tumwater

Remodeling on a home in Tumwater is nearly complete and ready to house people in need of shelter, thanks to a collaborative project between Homes First ... more

By Jessie Darland | 7/15/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposed seven-story apartment building along Martin Way at a meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Martin Way apartment complex proposal could benefit from affordable housing incentives

A proposed seven-story apartment building along Martin Way in Olympia could be eligible for significant incentives if the developer chooses to commit all units as ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/11/25 | 8 comments

Olympia's Community Planning and Economic Development team presented the Housing Displacement Analysis during the city council's study session on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

Housing study: Olympia’s low-income ownership drops, at risk of displacement

Despite a variety of housing types, the City of Olympia’s housing challenge is the loss of existing low-income homeownership and a critical shortage of affordable rental units for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/30/25 | 13 comments

Olympia's Design Review Board approved the design concept for the proposed B&B Apartments, a housing development that will serve residents with behavioral health needs, at a meeting on Friday, June 28, 2025.

Olympia Design Review Board approves B&B Apartments concept

Olympia's Design Review Board endorsed the conceptual plan for the proposed B&B Apartments, a 19-unit affordable housing development that would serve ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/30/25 | 2 comments

Median home price, sales climbed last month in Thurston County

The spring home buying season heated up in May with more than 300 residential properties exchanging hands in Thurston County despite inventory levels ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 6/24/25 | 1 comment

Olympia City Council to review housing displacement risk findings

The City of Olympia's Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) team will present an update on housing policies, including new state-mandated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/23/25

A community, which would include adults with autism, Down syndrome or other intellectual development disabilities, is the hope for this 0.9-acre parcel at 2021 Boulevard Road SE in Olympia.

Proposed ‘cohousing’ in Olympia would be geared toward adults with special needs

As the need for supportive and inclusive housing options grows, a local group is exploring a new way to provide community living for neurodivergent individuals ... more

By Darlanne Cruz | 6/17/25 | 1 comment

Tumwater to take over as lead for regional partnership to simplify ADU permitting

The City of Tumwater is set to take over as the new project lead of a regional partnership that expedites the permitting process for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/13/25 | 2 comments

Olympia committee to review utility incentives for affordable housing projects

Olympia's Utility Advisory Committee is set to review two programs that use utility revenues to reduce development costs for affordable ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/2/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, unanimously approved a recommendation, selecting Catholic Community Services to manage the EPRA program.

Housing council selects Catholic Community Services to administer eviction prevention funds

The Thurston Regional Housing Council selected Catholic Community Services (CCS) to manage the Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance (EPRA) program for single ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/30/25

Home sales fall, median price climbs in April

Single-family home prices climbed and sales retreated in the first full month of spring, amid a backdrop of some of the lowest inventory levels in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/28/25 | 1 comment

Housing council to weigh recommendation for administering eviction prevention funds

The Thurston Regional Housing Council is set to review a recommendation to contract with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to administer eviction ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners listened to public input on surplus land transfer rules for affordable housing projects at a meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Locals press for ‘truly affordable’ housing in Thurston County

Public benefit stiffened the policy lines on Tuesday, May 20, as Thurston County officials listened to calls for tenant-first rent protections at a public ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/23/25 | 11 comments

City of Olympia Senior Planner David Ginther presented a Capital Mall Triangle subarea plan that includes mid-block connections, which demonstrates an approach to transform the area into a more walkable urban environment. He made the presentation to the city council on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves ordinance to reshape Capital Mall Triangle area

The Olympia City Council approved the first reading of a planned action ordinance to reshape the Capital Mall Triangle area into a complete urban neighborhood ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/22/25

The Olympia City Council approved a new permit grant program on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. With initial funding, the program could support two large affordable housing projects of more than 50 units and a variety of smaller or medium-sized developments.

Olympia approves permit fee grant program; targets 50% area median income housing

The Olympia City Council approved a new permit fee grant program to reduce development costs for affordable housing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/25 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council to vote on $500K grant program for affordable housing developers

The Olympia City Council will consider whether to establish a $500,000 grant program to help offset permitting fees for affordable housing developers ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/16/25 | 8 comments