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

Olympia City Council members and staff discussed tenant screening policies at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025.

Olympia City Council considers tenant screening reforms to reduce housing barriers

In a move to address housing discrimination, the Olympia City Council is considering sweeping changes to tenant screening practices that have ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/17/25 | 13 comments

Tenant screening policy reforms to be reviewed by Olympia City Council

In a continued effort to expand protection for renters, the Olympia City Council will take up tenant screening outreach and policy reforms at its meeting ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/12/25 | 5 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners and county officials previewed housing and homelessness items at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners go over rental aid and repair contracts

Rental aid and repair contracts between Thurston County and local organizations are a step closer to being ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/10/25

Olympia City Council to consider $1M grant application for 3900 Boulevard housing project

The Olympia City Council is set to consider whether to apply for a $1 million state grant to support infrastructure costs for South Puget Sound Habitat ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/5/25 | 7 comments

The statewide plan objectives were presented to the Regional Housing Council, as part of the 2025-2030 Homeless Housing Plan discussion at a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025.

Regional Housing Council drafts ‘North Star' strategy for homeless response

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council is developing its 2025-30 Homeless Housing Plan, which will guide countywide efforts to address homelessness ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/2/25 | 23 comments

City of Olympia Senior Housing Program Specialist Christa Lenssen briefed the Land Use and Environment Committee on rent stabilizations and the existing rental housing code at a meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. She presented a slide comparing some provisions from House Bill 1217 and Olympia’s local code.

Olympia committee holds firm on local rental housing code

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is recommending no immediate changes to the city’s rental housing code, even as a new state ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/29/25 | 6 comments

Median price for a residence in Thurston County inches higher in July

The first full month of the summer home buying season was a mixed bag in Thurston County, as the median price for a residence inched higher while ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/29/25

Interfaith Works requests $51K for fire repairs at Sandy’s Flats

The Homeless Services Advisory Board (HSAB) is recommending the allocation of more than $51,000 in emergency funds to repair a ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/25 | 10 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved two Encampment Resolution Program contracts with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Interfaith Works and Low-Income Housing Institute at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Thurston County finalizes Encampment Resolution Program contracts

After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Thurston County has contracts that ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/25/25 | 26 comments

Committee to review rental protections in Olympia

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee will continue discussion on Thursday, Aug. 28, on whether to update the city’s Rental Housing Code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/25/25 | 8 comments

An aerial view shows the 5.32-acre parcel at 5025 Mullen Road SE in Lacey, outlined in red, that the city declared surplus and transferred to the Housing Authority of Thurston County for $1 under Resolution 1171. The property sits across from Komachin Middle School and near College Street SE.

Lacey declares Mullen Road parcel surplus, sells to Housing Authority of Thurston County

A 5.32-acre site at 5025 Mullen Road SE in Lacey has been declared surplus land, and it is being sold to the Housing Authority of Thurston County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/22/25 | 10 comments

Homes First to acquire two Lacey properties under transfer deal with Thurston County

Two Lacey properties long used for affordable housing have been transferred to nonprofit Homes First, in a deal that includes a clause to revert ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/21/25 | 1 comment

Rental registry program to be reviewed by Olympia City Council

After 17 months of implementation, the Olympia City Council will review the city's Rental Registry and Inspection Program, which was created to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/18/25 | 13 comments

The Yelm City Council voted to reject the adoption of the 2025 Thurston County Hazardous Waste Management Plan on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Council member Joshua Crossman (third to the left) led the discussion against adoption of the plan.

Yelm City Council rejects countywide waste management plan

The Yelm City Council voted 4-3 to reject the adoption of the 2025 Thurston County Hazardous Waste Management Plan at a meeting on ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/18/25 | 1 comment

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for a new multifamily apartment development on Palomino Drive SE at a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.

Committee reviews proposed multifamily development for Palomino Drive in Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on Wednesday, Aug. 13, to review a proposed multifamily residential ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/15/25 | 4 comments

Thurston Regional Housing Council seeks new advisory board members

The Thurston Regional Housing Council is calling on community members to help shape the future of affordable housing and homelessness ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/15/25 | 1 comment

City of Lacey officials and MJR Development representatives took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the HUB Apartments on Woodland Square Loop, a 50-unit complex converted from a former state office building through Lacey’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption ordinance.

HUB Apartments a result of an 8-year tax relief policy in Lacey

A former state office building in Lacey’s Woodland Square Loop reopened in early August as a 50-unit, market-rate apartment ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/11/25 | 8 comments

Public input sought on tenant screening practices in Olympia

The City of Olympia is encouraging residents — particularly landlords, renters and housing advocates — to share their perspectives on tenant screening practices through ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/4/25 | 5 comments

Median home price climbs to $550,000 in Thurston County

The spring home buying season ended on a high note for sellers, as the median price for a single-family residence and condominium climbed despite ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/4/25 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council discussed preserving manufactured home communities during a study session held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Olympia City Council seeks creative solution to protect manufactured home communities

The Olympia City Council is exploring ways to preserve manufactured home communities by addressing land use concerns not covered by the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/31/25 | 2 comments