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

County holds hearing on homeless encampments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, November 8, to discuss the emergency housing ordinance code amendment concerning homeless … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/9/22 | 2 comments

The current work is the second stage of a two-phase project on 111 Pattison St NE. The first phase, completed in 2021, included a five-story residential building and a shelter.

Martin Way Affordable Housing Phase 2 passes review

The Olympia Design Review Board held its virtual meeting for a Detail Design Review of the Martin Way Affordable Housing project on Thursday, November 3. According to the board’s staff … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/7/22

Olympia's Site Plan Committee reviewed the project proposal for multifamily housing at 3714 Royal Street SE on November 2, 2022.

Three-story multifamily housing proposed at Olympia Royal Street SE

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission hearing on a three-story multifamily housing project proposal at 3714 Royal Street SE on November 2. Brandon Johnson of JSA Civil … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 11/7/22

At the Olympia City Council meeting held on October 25, 2022, the council members approved an ordinance continuing the declaration of a state of public health emergency caused by homelessness.

Homelessness state of public health emergency continues in Olympia

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance that declares a continuing state of public health emergency related to human health and environmental conditions caused by increasing houselessness on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/31/22 | 4 comments

Thurston County and Olympia Planning Commissions held another work study session to discuss Olympia Joint Plan on October 27, 2022.

Urban transition plan hearing gets greenlit for Nov. 30 in Olympia

Olympia and Thurston County's Planning Commissions approved holding a public hearing on the Olympia Joint Plan on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. The Planning Commission held another work study … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/31/22 | 1 comment

At a meeting held Wednesday, October 26, 2022, the Olympia Site Plan Review Committee recommended the approval of building a family residence near the geologically hazardous area at 1203 Bowman Avenue NW.

Olympia's Site Plan Committee recommends approval of building a single-family residence

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee approved a "reasonable use exception" of building a single-family residence within the stream and landslide hazard buffer at 1203 Bowman Avenue NW on Wednesday, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/28/22 | 3 comments

Street closed tomorrow for ‘final’ exodus from Ensign Road in Olympia

Ensign Road will be closed off from Martin Way to Providence Lane tomorrow, October 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for what Olympia’s Homeless Response Team assures will be its final round of … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/26/22 | 1 comment

This screenshot shows the Citizen Toolbox calculator for the proposed fire benefit charge for residential properties.

Thinking about the proposed Regional Fire Authority? So is Larry Dzieza

When Larry Dzieza saw that a square root was part of a formula that Olympia and Tumwater were planning to propose that would calculate a new fee to cover some of the costs involved with providing … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 7 comments

This slide is included in the packet for the October 25, 2022 joint meeting of the Tumwater and Olympia city councils.

How much would you pay if a Fire Benefit Charge is approved? Calculate it here

Spinning off Tumwater’s and Olympia’s fire departments would create a new local government agency with its own taxing authority. The two city councils are set to meet to consider the … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 4 comments

"Access to housing is something we're actively working on expanding in our community, and providing fair access is critical,” Olympia Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen said.

Community called to fill out Fair Housing survey to address barriers in Olympia, Thurston County

Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County are asking community members to share their input on the fair housing assessment, which would give authorities tools to assess … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/20/22

Lacey commission briefed on Regional Housing Council interim governance structure

Lacey Community and Economic Development Director Rick Walk discussed the interim governance structure of the Regional Housing Council (RHC) with the Lacey Planning Commission on Tuesday, October … more

By JC Medina | 10/20/22

Home Programs Manager Darian Lightfoot explained a resolution authorizing the 2022 Home Fund grant to enter an agreement with Homes First on October 18, 2022.

Olympia approves funding for low-rent housing organization

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved more than $400,000 in grants to Homes First to purchase five single-family homes and add two accessory dwelling units to their current homes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia Site Plan Committee approved the land use recommendation for the six-unit apartment project on 13th Avenue and Cherry Street on October 12, 2022.

Housing project on 13th Avenue and Cherry Street greenlit in Olympia

Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee yesterday approved a land use recommendation for a housing project on 532 13th and Cherry Street SE. Olympia associate planner Jackson Ewing said the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/13/22

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 10, 2022, Karen Reed, consultant for the proposed RFA, showed a table of Fire Benefit Charge formula options, which reflects a reduced fee for the residential sector.

RFA Planning Committee to forward recommendations to Olympia, Tumwater City Councils

UPDATED: October 12, 2022 - This update clarifies that the recommended formula for the Fire Benefit Charge continues to include a square root in the calculation. The Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/11/22 | 4 comments

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee recommended the approval of land use permits for two projects – the Martin Way affordable housing project and Intercity Transit improvement on October 5, 2022.

Olympia's Site Plan Committee recommends approval of Martin Way affordable housing, Intercity Transit improvements

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee has recommended the approval of the land use of two projects - Martin Way affordable housing project at 111 Pattison Street NE and Intercity Transit - South … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/10/22

At the Olympia Site Plan Committee meeting on October 5, 2022, the committee reviewed a three-story apartment building project on Palomino Drive SE.

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviews a 3-story apartment project on Palomino Drive

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a project proposal for a three-story apartment building at 1525 Palomino Drive SE yesterday, October 5. Joseph Rydman, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/6/22 | 1 comment

This was part of the Ensign Road Homeless Encampment on October 3, 2022, with tents and debris spread across sections of the field next to the road. Another periodic cleanup is scheduled for October 6, 2022.

Ensign Road is to be closed Thursday

Olympia is warning community members and passing motorists of Ensign Road’s closure on Thursday, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Martin Way to Providence Lane, the road closure will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/4/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee members unanimously approved the land use for a three-story mixed-use building on September 28, 2022.

Restaurant, apartment building to rise on Martin Way

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday approved the land use for a project proposal of a three-story building with a restaurant and housing units at 4336 Martin Way E. Olympia associate … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/3/22

Olympia's Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler showed a graph reflecting the disparity in experience during the pandemic between renters and homeowners. Buckler gave an update on the Strong Olympia program at the Finance Committee meeting on September 21, 2022.

Olympia survey: Renters have challenging experiences during the pandemic

Olympia tenants went through the most challenges during the pandemic, according to an online survey conducted by the city for the Strong Olympia program. At the Finance Committee meeting on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/22/22 | 6 comments

At the Olympia Planning meeting held on September 19, 2022, contract planner Gary Cooper presented a table where communities across the United States are looking at reducing parking requirements.

Olympia's Housing Action Plan looks at reducing residence parking requirements, clarifying permitting process

Olympia is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements to accommodate more housing projects. This was according to contract planner Gary Cooper when he gave a brief presentation at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22