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

The Olympia City Council and Mayor Dontae Payne. Top row: Robert Vanderpool, left, Clark Gilman, Yến Huỳnh and Kelly Green. Bottom row: Dani Madrone, Payne and Paul Berendt.

Legislative agenda targets funding for housing, road improvements in Olympia

State funding for environmental and transportation projects, as well as housing and homelessness services, have emerged as legislative priorities ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/19/26 | 5 comments

Housing Director Ashley Chambers shared regional HMIS data showing 7,350 people in the system over the past year. Chambers presented the One Community Plan update during Olympia City Council’s study session on Oct. 13, 2026.

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 ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/26 | 17 comments

An unidentified woman, as seen on Sept. 3, 2026, expressed concern about the City of Olympia’s plans to close "The Jungle."

Timing, housing and 'The Jungle'

Timing is everything, especially when it comes to finding housing for homeless individuals living in "The ... more

By JM Simpson | 10/9/26 | 18 comments

Home sales fall, active listings jump in Thurston County

Single-family home sales retreated in the final full month of summer despite a wide range of options for prospective buyers in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/30/26 | 4 comments

Thurston County Realtors Association representatives presented their Voluntary+ Home Energy Score proposal to the Lacey City Council on Sept. 22, 2026.

Lacey Home Energy Score proposal causes a divide

The City of Lacey is facing competing arguments over Home Energy ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/29/26 | 10 comments

Lacey City Council members discussed the Franz Anderson regional housing agreement before members of the public during a meeting on Sept. 15, 2026.

Lacey City Council approves $3 million for Franz Anderson amid LIHI concerns

The City of Lacey is proceeding with a $3 million contribution to the Franz Anderson housing project despite concerns over spending and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/22/26 | 4 comments

A rendering of Harbor Pines Apartment, which is going to be located at 3909 9th Ave. SW in Olympia.

Funding requests for affordable housing projects surface in Olympia

The Olympia City Council is scheduled to vote on resolutions that target state funding to support infrastructure costs associated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/26 | 4 comments

An architectural rendering shows the proposed five-story Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing project in Olympia. The Low-Income Housing Institute would develop and manage the 71-unit building.

Lacey residents want more scrutiny of Franz Anderson housing agreement

Lacey residents are asking the Lacey City Council to examine the Franz Anderson regional housing agreement more closely before making a ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/10/26 | 1 comment

Olympia has 12 known manufactured-housing communities within city limits, providing roughly 800 housing units.

Committee explores strategies to protect manufactured home communities in Olympia

A series of action plans to preserve manufactured home communities and reduce the risk of displacement for hundreds of residents is ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/7/26 | 10 comments

A site plan shows the proposed five-story Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing project at 527 Franz Anderson Road SE in Olympia. The 71-unit apartment building would be built adjacent to an existing tiny shelter village, seen on the east side of Franz Anderson Road.

Lacey City Council seeks tougher Franz Anderson terms

Lingering concerns over how the Low Income Housing Institute has handled the Maple Court shelter are driving the Lacey City Council ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/7/26 | 6 comments

A view from the west of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

Department of Ecology approves permit for West Bay waterfront development

A proposed mixed-use development on the West Bay of Olympia cleared another regulatory hurdle after the Washington State Department ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/26 | 19 comments

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

Olympia introduces pilot program allowing RVs as temporary housing

The Olympia City Council expressed support for a new pilot program that allows people experiencing homelessness to use recreational vehicles ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/3/26 | 14 comments

Active residential, condo listings heat up in Thurston County

Would-be homebuyers had a plethora of options at the start of the second half of the year, as active residential and condominium listings surged ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/2/26

The Olympia City Council received an update on the phased closure of The Jungle encampment. Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray presented the update at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

Phased transition at 'The Jungle' as people move into housing

The City of Olympia has already moved more than a dozen people from "The Jungle" into temporary or permanent housing, but officials said closing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/26 | 15 comments

Olympia City Council to tackle temporary housing option

An ongoing housing emergency is prompting the Olympia City Council to consider a proposal to allow recreational vehicles to be used as ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/24/26 | 9 comments

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a pre-submission conference for a proposed triplex housing project at 1607 Union Ave. SE on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

Housing project proposed on Union Avenue in Olympia

A proposed multi-unit development at 1607 Union Ave. SE in Olympia could eventually be sold with each dwelling being owned separately if ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/20/26 | 4 comments

Two undeveloped parcels at 3202 and 3220 Willamette Drive NE in Lacey are being eyed for rezoning to High Density Residential from Neighborhood Commercial.

Planning Commission to hear request to rezone Willamette Drive site for housing in Lacey

A proposed zoning change aims to convert nearly 2 acres of Neighborhood Commercial land to High Density Residential in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/13/26

Ashley Chambers was appointed as the City of Olympia’s Housing Director. Her appointment was announced during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.

Olympia names Ashley Chambers as Housing Director

Olympia hired Ashley Chambers as its new housing director, a position that will oversee the city’s housing division and take the lead on its ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/31/26 | 1 comment

Active listings jump, median home price climbs in Thurston County

Active residential and condominium listings surged at the end of the first half of the year, as buyers looked to either trade up, down or out of .. more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/31/26 | 2 comments

Olympia’s Land Use & Environment Committee explored a pilot program that would help tenants become homeowners through a tenant opportunity to purchase program during a meeting Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Committee explores options for tenant opportunity to purchase program in Olympia

The Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is looking at a tenant opportunity to buy program, which would likely include targeted unit sizes ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/27/26 | 5 comments