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

Regional Housing Council backs draft request for more ERP funding

Five counties are preparing a draft request urging Gov. Bob Ferguson to increase funding for the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP) ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/25/25 | 4 comments

Joyce Phillips, Long-range Planning Manager with Olympia’s Community Planning and Economic Development, presented proposed middle housing code amendments to the city council at a meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves middle housing code updates

The Olympia City Council approved an ordinance updating the city’s housing code to expand middle housing, accessory dwelling units and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/19/25 | 7 comments

The Port of Olympia is exploring a possible lease of three properties along Olympia Avenue with developer Urban Olympia, which is planning to build an 87-unit mixed-use housing project on the site.

Port of Olympia exploring lease of East Bay properties for housing project

The Port of Olympia is exploring a potential lease of three East Bay properties to developer Urban Olympia ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/14/25 | 6 comments

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution accepting the updated Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan at a meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves updated land use chapter for 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the Land Use and Urban Design Chapter of the 2045 ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/14/25 | 2 comments

Visual examples of unit lot subdivisions (ULS), including triplexes, cottage units, townhouses and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), were presented to the Lacey Planning Commission at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.

Lacey planning single ordinance for middle housing, ADUs and unit lot subdivisions

Three major housing updates are now being woven into a single ordinance by the City of Lacey’s Community and Economic ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/14/25 | 1 comment

Community Planning and Economic Development Director Susan McLaughlin discussed proposed additional staffing for Olympia’s Rental Registry Program during a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia seeks higher compliance in Rental Registry Program, additional staff sought

The City of Olympia is seeking to improve compliance with its Rental Registry Program, aiming to register at least 63% of all rental units to make it financially ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/13/25 | 16 comments

Median home price up, sales rise in Thurston County

The summer home buying season ended on a strong note, as sales and the median price of a single-family residence climbed amid a stout increase ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/12/25 | 6 comments

Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for 24 housing units at the southeast corner of Miller Avenue and Puget Street, using the city’s still-pending middle housing code amendments as a guide.

Planners review proposed residential project at Miller Avenue and Puget Street in Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee tackled a residential development proposal that could showcase the city’s new middle housing code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/11/25 | 10 comments

A site plan shows the proposed New Horizon Communities Carpenter Village project at 720 Carpenter Road SE.

Thurston County hits pause on New Horizon Communities affordable housing proposal

Thurston County has deferred a proposal from New Horizon Communities (NHC) to lease county-owned land on Carpenter Road SE for a 72-unit ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 11/10/25 | 11 comments

Olympia City Councilman Jim Cooper called for creating clear performance indicators that would guide the council in evaluating and implementing the Multifamily Tax Exemption Program at a city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2025.

Market-rate housing projects approved in Olympia

The Olympia City Council plans to revisit the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program and establish performance metrics for all affordable housing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/5/25 | 13 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council unanimously approved the appointment of nine new members to serve on the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory Board and Homeless Services Advisory Board on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025.

New advisory board members appointed by Thurston Regional Housing Council

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved the appointment of nine new members to the Thurston Affordable Housing Advisory ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/3/25 | 1 comment

County commissioners to take up Sandy's Flats apartment repair contract

A contract to fix an apartment at Sandy's Flats in Olympia is scheduled for another review by the Thurston County Board of County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/30/25 | 6 comments

Percival Creek Canyon in west Olympia, as seen on Sept. 8, 2023.

Closure of Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment completed in Olympia

The City of Olympia has completed a 16-month effort to close the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment and provide housing placement for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/27/25 | 15 comments

Henderson 94 is a multy-family residential project proposed for undeveloped 9.22-acre property on Henderson Boulevard. It would include 10 units of townhomes in three buildings and 84 units of apartments in six buildings.

Site plan, plat approved for multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater

A multifamily residential project on Henderson Boulevard in Tumwater is moving forward after the developer was granted a preliminary plat and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/9/25 | 2 comments

Bids sought for rehabilitation of affordable housing property on Prospect Avenue in Olympia

The City of Olympia issued a Request for Bids to qualified contractors to carry out rehabilitation work at a 12-unit multifamily property located ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

Median home price eases to $520,250 in Thurston County

Sales of single-family homes dipped in mid-summer, as demand for houses waned amid a steep rise in active listings in Thurston ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/7/25 | 1 comment

Tumwater hearing examiner approves requests for 24-unit townhome project

A proposed 24-unit residential development on Tumwater Boulevard is one step closer to being ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/6/25 | 3 comments

A map shows the location of a proposed 24-unit residential development near the southeast end of Tumwater Boulevard in Tumwater.

Concerns raised about proposed 24-unit residential development in Tumwater

A proposed 24-unit residential development in the southeast end of Tumwater Boulevard in Tuwmater was the subject of public hearing on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/1/25 | 6 comments

Committee to review zoning changes to revitalize Briggs Village development in Olympia

The Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee is scheduled to review proposed zoning changes that could reshape development rules for Briggs ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/24/25 | 12 comments

Community members urge Tumwater to pass ordinance requiring energy audits for homes

Local residents urged the Tumwater City Council to pass an ordinance that would require energy score audits for houses being ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/22/25 | 4 comments