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

Living In The Jungle: She said she felt safer living there with her dog.

Olympia's (almost) invisible homeless women

Editor’s Note: All of the women quoted asked that their names not be used because they feared their abusive husbands or significant others might be able to locate them. The women in … more

By J.M. Simpson | 10/31/24

Olympia City Council discusses the 2025 Ad Valorem tax plan, focusing on property tax limitations and allocations for the upcoming fiscal year, during the October 29, 2024 Public Hearing.

Olympia homeowners: Here's where your property taxes go

Olympia’s Budget and Finance Manager Joan Lutz presented the proposed rates and allocations for residents in an effort to clarify the city's property tax expectations for 2025. … more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/30/24 | 1 comment

TC-CAP’s roadmap follows a voluntary approach, taking an alternate route away from the traditional court system.

Homeless court alternative to be tested via one-year pilot program

Thurston County is set to pilot its voluntary Thurston County - Court Alternative Program (TC-CAP), a hybrid version of San Diego’s Homeless Court, through a 12-month program. … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/25/24

The LOTT-owned property is the forested delta-shaped area on the south side of Mullen Road.

Lacey mulls acquiring LOTT property to construct affordable housing near middle school

The City of Lacey plans to acquire a surplus parcel of land from the LOTT Clean Water Alliance and erect an affordable housing structure directly across from Komachin Middle School. Plans … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/23/24 | 1 comment

A slide from Lacey Planning Manager Ryan Andrews’s presentation to the Lacey City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, showing the proposed housing allocations and the results of a land capacity study conducted by the Thurston Regional Planning Council.

Lacey housing market has long way to go, mayor says

Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) proposes allocating 9,915 low-income housing units for Lacey to meet county-wide affordable housing targets; according to Planning Manager Ryan Andrews' … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/18/24 | 4 comments

Planning Manager Brad Medrud (lower left) briefed the General Government Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 9, about the land capacity study by the Thruston Regional Planning Council

County-wide study shows Tumwater has surplus land capacity for low-income housing needs until 2045

A county-wide study shows that Tumwater has sufficient land capacity to accommodate future housing needs for low-income households until 2045, but a city planner warns that the margin of error is too … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/10/24 | 6 comments

Overvalued? Thurston County homeowners property tax appeals due Oct. 28

According to the Thurston County Board of Equalization, local homeowners have until Oct. 28 to appeal their property tax assessments. This county webpage provides explains the procedure and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/10/24 | 1 comment

This image shows the southeast corner of Tumwater's Urban Growth Area (in beige) and BAR Holdings property (in red).

How to help the housing crisis

Do you want to help combat the housing crisis? Then you should consider submitting comments to the county in opposition to a development called BAR Holdings/Salish Landing, and you should consider … more

Submitted by Ronda Larson Kramer | 10/8/24 | 5 comments

"... the whole purpose of being a landlord is to provide housing and services to people in exchange for rent," writes Priscilla Terry.

Olympia seeks community input this Tuesday about federal affordable housing grant

The City of Olympia will hold a public hearing in council chambers on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to gather community input on a proposed $5.45 million grant application for affordable housing initiatives. … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/4/24 | 3 comments

The Tumwater Lodging Tax Advisory Committee met on Sept. 23, 2024, to review the applications of several organizations looking to receive lodging tax funds.

Tumwater awards lodging tax funds to 14 organizations

Tumwater City Council approved the distribution of this year’s lodging tax funds. As part of its consent agenda on Tuesday, October 1, the council adopted the recommendation of the Lodging Tax … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/3/24

BEFORE: Contractors used heavy machines to scoop up and remove large amounts of trash.

The Jungle gets a clean-up

City of Olympia officials notified homeless individuals living in The Jungle encampment on Monday, September 16, that the city would soon begin a “clean” of accumulated trash there, … more

By JM Simpson | 9/30/24 | 12 comments

The slide shows Family Support Center's affordable housing project received an 80% exemption on fees, but still incurred over $500,000 in remaining fees.

Olympia proposes emergency declaration and strategies to address affordable housing crisis

At a Land Use and Environment Committee meeting on Thursday, city staff presented a proposal for an emergency declaration related to affordable housing, which aims to implement a series of strategies … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 10 comments

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee hears a proposal to build eight residential units at 2325 Conger Ave NW.

Demolish 1 and build 8: new subdivision proposed for west Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee, on Sept. 18, heard a proposed residential project with a plan to build eight units at 2325 Conger Ave NW. The project aims to demolish an existing … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/24 | 3 comments

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, the Olympia City Council approved an amendment to the city's camping ordinance that expands the prohibition to include rights-of-way and parklets.

Olympia approves expanded camping ban in public spaces

In a 5-2 vote, the Olympia City Council approved an amendment expanding the city's camping prohibition to include rights-of-ways and parklets. At the city council ’s meeting … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/23/24 | 6 comments

A new homeowner receiving the key to their new home

Olympia to apply for federal housing grant

On Tuesday Olympia approved authorization of city staff to apply for a federal grant program aimed at removing barriers to affordable housing in the city. The U.S. Department of … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/23/24

This is an example of the outside component of a mini-split heat pump system.

Electrification rebate program coming to Tumwater, but first city must nail down details

Grant-funded rebates program to launch in January 2025 Around $400,000 will be available to Tumwater … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/24 | 3 comments

A wood burning stove and basket of cut wood

Have an old wood stove? Agency pushes to destroy or replace them

Olympic Region Clean Air Agency offers financial incentives to those willing to ditch or replace wood stoves. Residents who want to upgrade or get rid of their wood stoves may qualify for a cash incentive. The Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) announced Tuesday, September 17, … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/20/24 | 5 comments

The Olympia City Council recognizes Interfaith Works' 50 years of dedication to promoting compassion and community service.

Olympia recognizes Interfaith Works' 50 years of community service

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, the Olympia City Council recognized and celebrated Interfaith Works for its 50 years of dedication to promoting human dignity and peace through interfaith understanding and … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/20/24

Olympia City Council. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Olympia Economic Development Director Mike Reid presents the Olympia Strong economic development strategy, which is billed at “creating pathways to opportunity for all residents.”

Olympia Strong economic development strategy approved, addressing economic disparities

Councilmember calls to tackle systemic challenges. On Tuesday, September 10, the Olympia City Council unanimously approved the “ Olympia Strong ” economic development strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing economic disparities … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/24 | 3 comments

diagram of the water cycle created for a school resource in Kenya as part of an outreach project

Thurston County eyes wastewater solutions in Rainier, Rochester

Large On-site Sewage Systems (LOSS) could provide a medium-cost, long-term alternative to centralized sewage plants. Thurston County is set to conceptualize plans to construct alternative and cheaper wastewater solutions within the City of Rainier and Rochester. Thurston County’s Community … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/5/24 | 1 comment