County approves funds for contracts for housing projects and rent assistance programs

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, November 8, approved two contracts involving a total of $3.3 million for housing assistance services.

Martin Way Phase 2 housing project

Jacinda Steltjes, Thurston Affordable Housing Coordinator, requested the county commissioners to enter into a contract with Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) for $1,741,380, which will be used to assist in the construction of the 2828 Martin Way Phase 2 housing project.

The project is a 63-unit multi-family rental housing serving homeless seniors.

"The project has faced increasing construction costs and requested SHB 1406 funds from Regional Housing Council (RHC) on August 25, 2021. The RHC approved the funding," Steltjes stated.

SHB 1406, or Substitute Housing Bill funds, are a regionally pooled funding source from Thurston County, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm may be used for acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, which may include new units within an existing structure or facilities providing supportive housing services.

LIHI intends to break ground on 2828 Martin Way Phase 2 by January 2023.

Rent assistance program

Thomas Webster, Public Health and Social Services senior program manager, has asked the commissioners to award an additional $2,231,623 to Geocko Inc., which does business as LiveStories, which was selected to handle the Thurston County Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP 1).

The T-RAP 1 funds came from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

On April 6, 2021, the BOCC approved a contract with the state department for $10,210,939 for emergency rent and utility assistance activities.

In September, the BOCC approved issuing a contract with LiveStories for $2,310,962 to provide rent and utility assistance with an extended end date of December 29, 2022.

Thurston County received additional T-RAP 1 funds from the Department of Commerce. Webster requested the amendment of the contract with LiveStories to allow the transfer of additional funding from the state department.

This brings LiveStories' funds to $4,542,585 to continue rent and utility assistance programs in Thurston County.

According to Webster, the funds will be distributed per the State Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Treasury program requirements. They will prioritize low-income residents who are at risk of eviction.