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

Darton Riely-Gibbons, of AKS Engineering and Forestry, presented one of the renderings of Fieldstone Apartments 15 residential buildings, which will provide 272 affordable units. Olympia's Design Review Board approved the project on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Olympia Design Review Board approves Fieldstone Apartments with conditions

The Olympia Design Review Board has approved the Fieldstone Apartments project, a 272-unit affordable housing development ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/12/25 | 9 comments

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee discussed the city's incentives for developers who are willing to introduce different housing options or commit to making units affordable. The committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed residential development on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Olympia offering incentives to developers to increase residential density

Olympia city planners actively encourage innovative housing solutions to address the city's housing crisis by offering developers multiple pathways to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/9/25 | 8 comments

Public invited to housing affordability forum in Olympia

The City of Olympia and Council of Neighborhood Associations are inviting members of the community to learn and talk about housing ... more

By The JOLT News Staff | 5/6/25 | 1 comment

Middle Housing Survey participation window extended by City of Olympia

A survey participation window regarding proposed code amendments for housing in the City of Olympia has been extended. An opportunity to weigh in on the Middle Housing Survey sunsets on … more

By The JOLT News Staff | 4/30/25

The Lacey City Council received a comprehensive update during its work session on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, on the city’s active and upcoming development projects, which include hundreds of new residential units, commercial builds and hospitality developments.

Lacey City Council gets update on a number of development projects

The Lacey City Council received a comprehensive update on the city’s active and upcoming development projects, which include hundreds of new residential units ... more

By JC Medina | 4/24/25 | 2 comments

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Director Jennifer Freiheit and Housing Program Manager Thomas Webster addressed the board with updates on the Lived Experience Housing Steering Committee proposal during Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Thurston County seeks to close facilitation gap in housing experience committee

In an attempt to fill a role left vacant earlier this year, Thurston County is working to restart a $50,000 request for proposals (RFP) after its first round failed to find a facilitator for the … more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/24/25 | 1 comment

Olympia city planner Joyce Phillips showed one of the visual illustrations from the Washington State Department of Commerce to show what middle housing infill might look like in neighborhoods. On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Planning Commission was briefed on the middle housing code changes.

Olympia proposes middle housing code changes to expand residential options

Olympia unveiled a series of proposed code changes that introduce strategies to address housing diversity and affordability at the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/24/25 | 5 comments

Thurston County home and condo prices rise in March

Single-family home prices rose and sales eased in Thurston County for the third straight month of 2025, as low inventory levels continued to put a strain on a ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

Adria Buchanan, the Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of Washington, expressed appreciation for the Fair Housing Month proclamation. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Fair Housing Month

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation designating April 2025 as Fair Housing Month to highlight the continued importance of addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/11/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved a recommendation to award $950,000 for the Sterling Pines Housing project on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Thurston Regional Housing Council OKs recommendation to award $950K for Sterling Pines housing project

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved awarding the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $950,000 from the Opportunity Fund to finance ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/10/25 | 3 comments

Regional Housing Council to review homeless services and affordable housing project funding

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC) is set to review recommendations for homeless services programs, with $12.8 million in funding available to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/7/25

The Yorkshire Apartments by Grandview Yorkshire LLC is a 21.7-acre apartment complex being planned at a location between Israel Road and Tumwater Boulevard. Tumwater City Council approved a conditional contract for “Building One” of the site (highlighted in red) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Developer of apartment complex gets conditional exemption from property taxes in Tumwater

The developer of a 21.7-acre apartment complex in Tumwater is set to secure an exemption from property taxes for ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/2/25 | 9 comments

Median residential price climbs, sales dip in February

The Thurston County housing market produced higher prices and fewer sales for the second straight month of 2025, as inventory levels ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/17/25 | 2 comments

Our House Clubhouse, which opened in downtown Olympia in February, brings a sense of community and job training to people with mental health struggles.

Our House Clubhouse opens in Olympia

Our House Clubhouse opened its doors in downtown Olympia in February, welcoming guests with mental health problems or other roadblocks that ... more

By Jessie Darland | 3/12/25

The Olympia City Council tackled three proposed policies relating to rental housing at its study session on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

From screening to ownership: Olympia explores multiple policies to address housing challenges

The Olympia City Council directed staff to continue developing and refining proposed rental protection measures, including ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/12/25 | 4 comments

Public Health and Social Services Director Jen Freheit, left, listens while Social Services Program Manager Mark Moffett explained details on homeless veterans housing program during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

Thurston County aims to maximize shelter program for homeless veterans in 2025

Homeless veterans in Thurston County make up 8% of the county’s unhoused demographic, yet shelter beds reserved for them sit vacant and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/12/25

Homeless for a couple of years, this young woman said she isn’t sure what she can or will do.

Women’s History Month begins with new documentary on homeless women in Olympia

In Thurston County, 42.9% of homeless people are women, according to the 2024 Thurston County Point-in-Time study. This contrasts with approximately 30 to 38 percent nationally, according to various … more

By Danny Stusser | 3/7/25 | 1 comment

Josh Gobel, of Carve Architects, presented the preliminary site plan for creating two new commercial parcels along Harrison Avenue NW. The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for the project on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

City of Olympia could offer developers planning flexibility for affordable housing

Olympia is open to potential flexibility in project planning, provided that the developer dedicates units at 80% of the market rate for 20 years. The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee heard a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/7/25 | 6 comments

Thurston Regional Housing Council approves funding for homeless services, affordable housing project

The Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) approved two funding requests to support vulnerable community ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/4/25 | 4 comments

Thurston Regional Housing Council and partners secure funding for Franz Anderson housing project

In a collaborative effort, Thurston Regional Housing Council (RHC) has secured funding to support the development of the Franz Anderson permanent ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/4/25