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

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

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

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

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

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC), on Wednesday, August 28, voted to support the expansion of the Black Home Initiative (BHI) to Thurston County.  The BHI is a program … more

The Thurston Regional Housing Council, on Wednesday, approved a $1 million funding award to the Family Support Center for a new affordable housing project. The organization is seeking funding … more

Olympia and Thurston County are jointly pursuing a federal grant to boost affordable homeownership through the Housing and Urban Development's $100 million Pathways to Removing Obstacles Housing … more

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) received a briefing on the Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) Community Housing Code update, which aims to add standards to LRA Community … more

Ever wonder what it might be like to be homeless in downtown Olympia?  I estimate that most people here have never spoken with a person living outdoors, in a recreational vehicle or in … more

Thurston’s Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) supported a proposed plan to use $3.5 million in funding to support four affordable housing projects at Franz Anderson in case the construction … more

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a marina replacement project at 2100 West Bay Drive NW. The Committee outlined the need to address critical areas and other shoreline development … more

Over 30 community organizations will join this year’s Thurston County Resource Fair on August 15, 2024. This free and open-to-all event will be held at the Thurston County Courthouse campus … more

The county successfully collected quality data on homelessness among single adults. Nonprofit Community Solutions announced in a case study on Friday that Thurston County became the fifth community nationwide to collect quality data... … more

Regional Housing Council expresses interest in the partnership   more

I have no doubt that what everyone reading this wants to do is get involved in a lengthy policy process and discussion in and about Olympia.  OK, just kidding, but if you do have such a desire, … more

The Thurston Regional Housing Council has approved a set of Affordable Housing Capital Pipeline projects based on the county's Affordable Housing Advisory Board recommendations. more

The Thurston Board of County Commissioners approved more than a million-dollar funding recommendation from the Regional Housing Council for acquiring and preserving the Courtside Apartments for Vital … more

Olympia City planner Casey Schaufler unveiled a new housing element for the city's comprehensive plan update, which tackles affordability issues and historical racial disparities in housing. At Monday's Olympia Planning Commission meeting, Schaufler outlined strategies to implement House Bill 1220, requiring cities to plan and accommodate housing for all economic segments. more

For the sixth year in a row, the 2024 Summer Outreach Event brought together more than 60 agencies representing behavioral health, primary care and family support agencies to housing programs, … more