Olympia's social justice committee to focus on housing discrimination and better access to housing

Olympia's Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen updated the Social Justice and Equity Commission on housing initiatives as the commission is eyeing putting together education and outreach materials around housing discrimination.

According to Lenssen, during the committee’s meeting Monday, November 28, the city's housing program formed a community workgroup composed of people in the government, local service providers and case managers. The group helps to get people into housing and other community groups and to provide resources to the community.

The workgroup meets once a month to discuss rental housing issues in the community and provide education and resources.

"There's a lack of awareness, especially during the moratorium. There was a lot of confusion in the community about what legal requirements and resources were in place," Lenssen said. "So our group tried to fill that gap and meet those community needs."

Lenssen said the group has been working on a curriculum for renters. She explained that different modules or sections provide information on legal rights under the landlord-tenant policy and fair housing laws.

"It has information about what to do if you experience housing discrimination and how you can access resources to advocate for yourself in that situation, explained Lenssen."

Commissioner Rachelle Martin inquired if there is a conversation within the workgroup about making the community hotline 211 a better resource for people looking for housing.

"If I am in the middle of a housing crisis, and you give me a bundle of curriculum to read, I'm not going to read it,” explained Martine. "Education pieces are so important, [but] not such a great thing to have [when in housing crisis].

What's better sometimes is a place where people can ask questions, get some help where they have somebody saying they have information," Martine added.

Lenssen said the workgroup is currently resorting to webinars that provide quick resource sheets – like frequently asked questions – to educate people. "One thing we don't have in our community is a one-stop shop for rental housing issues."

Besides the legal aid providers and the Dispute Resolution Center, Lenssen added that there is no other place people can go for housing issues.

"I think we all shared the sentiment that 211 is not a great resource for that topic. It would be great if there were a place to go for all that information. We're just trying to figure out the best place to house some of this information at this point," Lenssen said.

Fair housing survey

She also mentioned that she has been working with Thurston County's Housing Authority and the City of Olympia on fair housing assessment.

Through Engage Olympia, both government agencies sought all Thurston County residents' participation in an online survey. They will use the community feedback as a guide in implementing housing efforts that aim to increase the housing supply, bolster the diversity of housing options and increase affordability and stability for residents.

Lenssen said the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the fair housing assessment process to receive federal grants.

The online survey on fair housing assessment is wrapping up on Wednesday, November 30.

Rental housing registry program

Through the direction of the Land Use and Environmental Committee, Lenssen said they conducted public engagement, online survey, and in-depth investigation on rental housing.

The Land Use committee’s efforts resulted in adopting an ordinance by the Olympia City Council in August addressing moving costs, deposits, and pet deposits. The ordinance also provides required notice for rent increases over 5% and 10% with the thought that people can at least plan and have additional time to prepare for those rent increases.

Lenssen said the committee wants to keep moving forward on creating a rental housing registry program. 

"Most cities [with the same program] included an inspection element to address health and safety issues in rental housing. It's also a way to communicate with rental property owners and tenants, and it would just give the city a better handle on who's out there," Lenssen said, adding that there are plans underway to build that program.