Homelessness response program reviewed amid funding uncertainty in Olympia 

The Olympia City Council is considering how to adapt the city’s homelessness response plan as demand grows and funding uncertainty rises. 

During a study session on the city’s One Community Plan on Tuesday, Oct. 13, Olympia Housing Director Ashley Chambers warned of problems during a presentation of the plan.

“We have more needs and fewer resources and higher economic pressure impacting lower-income households, and we have more people (who) need help while we have fewer resources,” said Chambers to council members. 

The presentation outlined the city’s efforts to address homelessness, expand affordable housing, prevent people from losing their homes, and improve public health and safety.  

Chambers said the city has an opportunity to shift from a reactive approach to a more proactive one, while evaluating whether existing programs remain effective as demand increases. 

“I am not saying that we stop doing anything we are doing,” Chambers said. “I am saying the reality is that it may not be having the same impact as it once did because the inflow is increasing.” 

Planning for funding shortfalls 

Chambers cited shrinking state and federal resources, but did not identify which funding sources are at risk, potential losses, or the services that could be affected.  

Council member Dani Madrone called for earlier financial forecasting and contingency plans.

“If there’s a cliff we’re facing in June, we should know that in December and have a plan B," she said.

Madrone also raised concerns about staff burnout and sustainability of the workforce responsible for delivering homelessness services.

She asked staff to consider what success looks like not only for people experiencing homelessness, but also for employees exposed to difficulties at work.  

Chambers said the city could make its homelessness response more proactive, advocate for funding, and use data to identify where targeted efforts might improve outcomes.  

Council members differed on what Olympia should prioritize next under the One Community Plan.  

Mayor Dontae Payne called for more attention to shelter capacity, cleanliness and safety, while stressing the city’s responsibility to people experiencing homelessness. He asked how many people need shelter and where the city should prioritize its efforts.  

Payne also asked whether resources could keep pace with rising demand.

“Picture 900 people trying to get onto a small lifeboat — which is the City of Olympia,” Payne said. “At what point do we recognize that our resources are limited, and we need to make some policy shifts or adjustments to be a little bit more stable with what our capacity is as an organization?”  

Council member Clark Gilman said success should include safe places for people to stay day and night, and urged staff to reconsider their approach in light of changing needs.  

Council member Paul Berendt emphasized setting priorities realistically, while continuing to pursue more shelter and housing.  

Measuring progress 

Chambers said the regional Homeless Management Information System recorded 7,350 people over the past year, including 3,709 new entrants. She said records may represent households rather than every individual, since minors may not be listed or only one household member may appear.  

As of June 30, the system listed 2,709 people as unsheltered, 556 as sheltered and 1,430 with housing outcomes.  

Chambers said the system has bottlenecks at the shelter and housing stages. She reported 557 shelter beds in the community and an average of about 287 days from entering the system to leaving.  

She said the data is incomplete and should not be treated as a definitive count of everyone experiencing homelessness in Olympia. She added the bed figure does not indicate vacancies.  

Council member Yen Huynh suggested an online dashboard.

“I would love to get to a place where we could have even if it’s a simple one, like an online interactive dashboard for folks that go to our city website," she said.

Council member Kelly Green praised the progress under the One Community Plan, including closure of 14 homeless encampments.

She asked how the city can sustain services and housing efforts as needs evolve, and how it could better support neighborhoods experiencing the effects of homelessness.  

Other priorities raised during the discussion included homeless prevention, affordable housing, improved data on families and youths, as well as long-term funding.  

City Manager Jay Burney said Chambers would return in early 2027 with an update informed by council feedback.