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

This slide is included in the packet for the October 25, 2022 joint meeting of the Tumwater and Olympia city councils.

How much would you pay if a Fire Benefit Charge is approved? Calculate it here

Spinning off Tumwater’s and Olympia’s fire departments would create a new local government agency with its own taxing authority. The two city councils are set to meet to consider the … more

By Danny Stusser | 10/24/22 | 4 comments

"Access to housing is something we're actively working on expanding in our community, and providing fair access is critical,” Olympia Housing Program specialist Christa Lenssen said.

Community called to fill out Fair Housing survey to address barriers in Olympia, Thurston County

Olympia, Thurston County, and the Housing Authority of Thurston County are asking community members to share their input on the fair housing assessment, which would give authorities tools to assess … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/20/22

Lacey commission briefed on Regional Housing Council interim governance structure

Lacey Community and Economic Development Director Rick Walk discussed the interim governance structure of the Regional Housing Council (RHC) with the Lacey Planning Commission on Tuesday, October … more

By JC Medina | 10/20/22

Home Programs Manager Darian Lightfoot explained a resolution authorizing the 2022 Home Fund grant to enter an agreement with Homes First on October 18, 2022.

Olympia approves funding for low-rent housing organization

The Olympia City Council on Tuesday, October 18, approved more than $400,000 in grants to Homes First to purchase five single-family homes and add two accessory dwelling units to their current homes … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/19/22 | 1 comment

The Olympia Site Plan Committee approved the land use recommendation for the six-unit apartment project on 13th Avenue and Cherry Street on October 12, 2022.

Housing project on 13th Avenue and Cherry Street greenlit in Olympia

Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee yesterday approved a land use recommendation for a housing project on 532 13th and Cherry Street SE. Olympia associate planner Jackson Ewing said the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/13/22

At the Regional Fire Authority planning committee meeting on October 10, 2022, Karen Reed, consultant for the proposed RFA, showed a table of Fire Benefit Charge formula options, which reflects a reduced fee for the residential sector.

RFA Planning Committee to forward recommendations to Olympia, Tumwater City Councils

UPDATED: October 12, 2022 - This update clarifies that the recommended formula for the Fire Benefit Charge continues to include a square root in the calculation. The Regional Fire … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/11/22 | 4 comments

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee recommended the approval of land use permits for two projects – the Martin Way affordable housing project and Intercity Transit improvement on October 5, 2022.

Olympia's Site Plan Committee recommends approval of Martin Way affordable housing, Intercity Transit improvements

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee has recommended the approval of the land use of two projects - Martin Way affordable housing project at 111 Pattison Street NE and Intercity Transit - South … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/10/22

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviews a 3-story apartment project on Palomino Drive

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference for a project proposal for a three-story apartment building at 1525 Palomino Drive SE yesterday, October 5. Joseph Rydman, … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/6/22 | 1 comment

Ensign Road is to be closed Thursday

Olympia is warning community members and passing motorists of Ensign Road’s closure on Thursday, October 6, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. From Martin Way to Providence Lane, the road closure will … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 10/4/22 | 1 comment

Olympia Site Plan Review Committee members unanimously approved the land use for a three-story mixed-use building on September 28, 2022.

Restaurant, apartment building to rise on Martin Way

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday approved the land use for a project proposal of a three-story building with a restaurant and housing units at 4336 Martin Way E. Olympia associate … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 10/3/22

Olympia's Strategic Projects manager Amy Buckler showed a graph reflecting the disparity in experience during the pandemic between renters and homeowners. Buckler gave an update on the Strong Olympia program at the Finance Committee meeting on September 21, 2022.

Olympia survey: Renters have challenging experiences during the pandemic

Olympia tenants went through the most challenges during the pandemic, according to an online survey conducted by the city for the Strong Olympia program. At the Finance Committee meeting on … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/22/22 | 6 comments

At the Olympia Planning meeting held on September 19, 2022, contract planner Gary Cooper presented a table where communities across the United States are looking at reducing parking requirements.

Olympia's Housing Action Plan looks at reducing residence parking requirements, clarifying permitting process

Olympia is contemplating reducing minimum parking requirements to accommodate more housing projects. This was according to contract planner Gary Cooper when he gave a brief presentation at the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/20/22

At the presubmission conference on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, Olympia's Site Planning Committee reviewed a proposed project that would provide a duplex and six cottage units at 908 Chambers Street SE.

Duplex and cottage housing development proposed on Chambers Street

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on a proposed project to build a duplex and six cottage housing at 908 Chambers Street SE on Wednesday, September 7. In a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 9/12/22

Tumwater will donate an empty house at 6541 Henderson Blvd SE as low-income housing for women.

Tumwater donates vacant house to housing non-profit

Tumwater will donate an empty house at 6541 Henderson Boulevard SE to Homes First, a non-profit corporation based in Washington. Tumwater’s city council approved the donation after they … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/7/22

Oregon Spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) are vulnerable to climate change and are listed as endangered. The eyes of these frogs are oriented upward at roughly a 45-degree angle.

Endangered frogs no match for planned dynamite blast next Wednesday

There's a little-known creek that goes by at least two names in Thurston County, Hopkins Drainage Ditch and Salmon Creek. The little-known Hopkins Drainage Ditch District #2 (HDDD) is the government … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/2/22 | 8 comments

The Lacey City Council discussed Neighborhood Commercial zoning in its work session August 25, 2022.

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws

Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws By JC Medina Following two recent controversial decisions that allow the Meridian Gas Station and Hicks Lake … more

By JC Medina | 8/26/22 | 1 comment

Becker Homes LLC presented its 21-unit apartment proposal at 506 Kaiser Road SW during the presubmission conference at the Site Plan Review Committee held August 24, 2022.

Olympia Site Plan Committee reviews proposed 21-unit apartment project on Kaiser Road

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee yesterday held a presubmission conference for a project proposal for a 21-unit apartment at 506 Kaiser Road SW. Architect Brett Lindsay said the project is a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/25/22 | 1 comment

The ordinance seeks to assist the city with locating owners of abandoned/vacant properties, require registration of these properties annually, have a current local representative or contract of the owner, property manager, or agency who has a vested interest in the property and maintain the property per the city's codes, laws, and ordinances.

Vacant and abandoned properties in Olympia now subject to registration

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance establishing a vacant property registration program, a move that will create a database to identify vacant properties and address squatting on these … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/24/22 | 3 comments

The December 15, 2021 fire that destroyed several businesses, including this one, and an under-construction apartment building, was put out by Olympia Fire Department working in cooperation with several other agencies, including vehicles and firefighters from Tumwater.

Olympia, Tumwater city managers on proposed merger of fire departments

City managers Jay Burney of Olympia and John Doan of Tumwater sat with The JOLT last Friday to answer questions about the proposed Regional Fire Authority, the accompanying Fire Benefit Charge, and … more

By Danny Stusser and Lorilyn C. Lirio | 8/23/22 | 9 comments

Habitat for Humanity's proposed development plan for 3900 Boulevard Road will have 100 to 130 affordable homes to address homelessness in Olympia.

Habitat for Humanity to give update on the 3900 Boulevard Road project

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) and its architect, Artisans Group, will host a meeting on September 14, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to update the public on plans for the 10-acre 3900 Boulevard … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 8/23/22