Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) awarded the Housing Authority of Thurston County (HATC) $6,909,400 to purchase and convert Tumwater Inn & Suites into housing for seniors, Tumwater City Administrator John Doan told the city council on Tuesday, March 28.
On March 23, Commerce announced they had awarded $50.6 million to 13 affordable housing projects through the Rapid Capital Housing Acquisition program. Tumwater Inn & Suites, a long-term-stay budget motel at 5895 Capitol Blvd SE, was the only housing project in Thurston County to be awarded during the latest round of funding.
The conversion of the motel would create 24 supportive housing units for seniors. Doan added that since HATC received more than they requested, additional improvements, such as installing a lift, would be afforded.
Tom Rawson, HATC’s administration and development director, told the council this January that the building would also need new heat pumps to replace its baseboard heaters. The city would also need to relocate around ten households that have been long-term occupants of the building.
According to a document released by Commerce, the total cost to convert the motel would be $7,264,400.
